Former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor, took to Twitter to critique Bellator for their lack of a quality drug-testing system. McGregor thinks that a change is long overdue in order to keep the athletes safe and to preserve the integrity of the sport.
“It is crazy to think @BellatorMMA still do not have a performance enhancing drug testing system in place. It is long overdue time the promotion adopts a reputable testing body in order to keep it’s clean athletes safe!”
It is crazy to think @BellatorMMA still do not have a performance enhancing drug testing system in place. It is long overdue time the promotion adopts a reputable testing body in order to keep it’s clean athletes safe! https://t.co/G4w3vzv7mE
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 22, 2020
Unlike the UFC, Bellator doesn’t partner with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Despite the many criticisms that the program has received over the years, it must be stated that USADA has clamped down on many PED users and illegal practices. UFC president Dana White has been very supportive of USADA and the work they have done in the company. On the other hand, Bellator president Scott Coker doesn’t seem kin to use a third party in his drug-testing program. Coker has said many times that he has complete trust in the state and governmental instances to enforce a strict anti-doping guideline.
McGregor has never failed a drug test in his entire MMA career and this ethic seems to extend to his teammates of SBG Ireland. The Irishman has many teammates who compete in Bellator, including Sinead Kavanagh who competes in the women’s featherweight division.
Scott Coker has been critical of USADA in the past pointing to their inconsistency in dealing with different fighters and handing disproportionate bans. The Bellator president has also said in an interview with MMAJunkie, that he would be more in favor of a global sanctioning body that would regulate every promotion.
