McGregor aims UFC return after rejoining drug-testing program
The Irishman is expected to be back in action later this year
UFC Star Conor McGregor is expected to rejoin the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug-testing program 'immediately', paving the way for his return to UFC.
The Irishman will be taking on Michael Chandler later this year but the date and the venue cannot be decided or announced until McGregor is cleared by USADA to compete.
The last time Conor was in the octagon was during his fight against Dustin Poirier after which he spend almost two years out of action following a nasty leg break at UFC 264 in July 2021.
The 34-year-old has not been tested during his injury lay-off and USADA wants him to complete six months of random drug tests before returning.
McGregor has argued he should only be required to complete two tests, but the dispute has now been resolved.
The Irishman told reporters on Friday: "That’s done, man. That’s done."
"By year-end, I’m back in that cage having competed. I’m gearing up now, ready to go."
USADA then confirmed the news with a statement of their own.
“We have recently been in direct contact with Conor McGregor, and as he confirmed today in the media, we expect to receive his paperwork coming out of retirement and re-entering the USADA testing pool immediately,” USADA said on Friday.
“Like other athletes who come out of retirement, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, McGregor will be subject to testing for at least six months and must provide at least two negative samples before being permitted to compete.
“The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all athletes who are not subject to a period of testing are adequately tested over a reasonable period of time before competing to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.”
The Irish star has lost three of his last four fights. Including back-to-back defeats against Poirier at UFC 257 and 264 and a famous submission defeat against the undefeated UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 on October 7, 2018.
At his peak, McGregor won two UFC titles and impressively knocked out eight opponents. The quickest knockout win of his career came against Jose Aldo in December 2015 when he knocked Aldo out in just 13 seconds.
In his UFC career, the 34-year-old was undefeated in his first seven fights from 2013 to 2015. His first loss came against Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in March 2016.
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