“Bro gonna waterboard fighters” – UFC hires leader of Saddam Hussein interrogation, George Piro to keep fighters in check after USADA split

George Piro is noted for interrogating Saddam Hussein. He joins the UFC's anti-doping program. His FBI background fits the role.

“Bro gonna waterboard fighters” – UFC hires leader of Saddam Hussein interrogation, George Piro to keep fighters in check after USADA split

Dana White and the UFC hire George Piro (Image via X/Bloody Elbow, Imago)

The UFC has appointed George Piro as the head of their new anti-doping program. He is a former FBI agent known for interrogating Saddam Hussein. This news came after UFC parted ways with the USADA. Hiring Piro underscores UFC’s dedication to a clean sport and its stern position against doping.

Piro’s notable career in the FBI provides him with a rich background for the role. Piro is renowned for leading the team that questioned former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003. His skills in gathering information and upholding due process make him a good fit for the UFC’s anti-doping program. The news of Piro’s appointment has incited humorous reactions on social media. MacLife’s Oscar Willis tweeted, “The UFC have hired George Piro, the FBI agent who was in charge of Saddam Hussein’s interrogation to be the administrator of the new UFC anti-drug program.” The hiring led a fan to comment, “Bro gonna water board fighters until they admit they were juicing even if they didn’t do it.”

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Jeff Novitzky, the Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance for the UFC broke the news regarding Piro’s announcement. Dana White had earlier denounced the actions of USADA in a recent interview with Pat McAfee. Hunter Campbell, the Chief Business Officer for the UFC, further explained the dirty move used by USADA in the press conference.

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Campbell blasted the USADA for using Conor McGregor‘s name as a pawn for politics. He further elaborated that McGregor was one of the most tested athletes on the UFC roster before his leg injury. The USADA CEO had earlier insinuated that the UFC refused to extend their deal due to Conor McGregor-related issues.

Related: Shortly after ending ties with USADA, Conor McGregor celebrates UFC’s new relationship with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for exciting fight events

MMA community reacts to the appointment of George Piro as the head of the new anti-doping program of the UFC

George Piro’s appointment as the head of the new ant-doping program is a welcome boost for the Dana White-led promotion. The UFC brass seems very happy to have Piro’s at the helm. It remains to be seen what Piro could do to maintain the integrity of the sport.

George Piro
George Piro (Image via: CNN)

Netizens react to the appointment of George Piro as the head of the UFC’s new anti-doping program. See the fan reaction from X (formerly Twitter) below.

People speculate that the UFC hired Piro to dampen the noise of the nasty USADA-UFC split. Hunter Campbell rarely appears in front of the media, and seeing the presence of Campbell was enough to understand the pressure the company was in. Nevertheless, the MMA community eagerly awaits Piro at the helm beginning on January 1, 2024.

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