USADA Watch: Rory MacDonald Keeping His Options Open

USADA Watch: Rory MacDonald Keeping His Options Open

This week's USADA data has been made public, and you're going to want to take a look. The data has been updated to show tests carried out by USADA from Augu

Aug 11, 2016 by Jim Edwards
USADA Watch: Rory MacDonald Keeping His Options Open
This week's USADA data has been made public, and you're going to want to take a look. 

The data has been updated to show tests carried out by USADA from August 2 to 8. 

Occasionally, odd test won't appear in the system until the week after. For example, Scott Askham was tested on August 1, but his test isn't showing in the system.

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Source: @Dimspace

The most notable fighter tested this week was Rory MacDonald. The Canadian free agent from the UFC is said to be collecting offers from rival promotions. MacDonald's last test took place on the night of his last fight against Stephen Thompson at UFC Ottawa. This latest test indicated he has opted to stay in the USADA testing program and keep his free agency options open.

Chael Sonnen was also tested twice in the past week. It's likely that Sonnen and the rest of the other fighters who show as being tested twice would've completed one blood test and one urine test in the same session.

Other notable fighters tested this week include CM Punk (Phil Brooks), Donald Cerrone, Alistair Overeem and both UFC Hamburg main-eventers Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett.

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Source: @Dimspace

Interesting notes from the data collected since the introduction of the USADA anti-doping program include:

  • Holly Holm is the most tested fighter of all time with 15 tests.
  • Conor McGregor is the most tested male fighter with 14 tests
  • Anderson Silva (12) and Miesha Tate (10) are the most tested athletes of 2016.
  • Only three fighters on the roster have taken more tests than Brock Lesnar (8) this year.
  • American Top Team (144) are the most tested gym, Jackson-Wink (93) second and Blackzilians (70) third. 
  • Maryna Moroz's test at UFC Fight Night Salt Lake City now means that every ranked fighter has now been tested by USADA for the first time since the program started.
  • 505 fighters have now been tested in 2016.