Conor McGregor confirms UFC return with Irishman set to rejoin drug-testing program ‘immediately’

Conor McGregor has rejoined the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug-testing program, paving the way for his return to UFC.

According to a statement from USADA obtained by MMA Junkie, the Irishman (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is expected to rejoin the program ‘immediately’.

McGregor withdrew from the drug testing program in July 2021, when he revealed he considered retirement after suffering a broken log in the trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. 

‘That’s done, man. That’s done,’ he told reporters on Friday when asked about rejoining the drug-testing program.

‘By year end, I’m back in that cage having competed. I’m gearing up now, ready to go,’ he said on Friday. 

As a result, the former two-division UFC champion has not undergone any anti-doping tests for the past two years.

That, however, is expected to change given McGregor is scheduled to fight Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) later this year. 

‘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 wrote in a statement. 

‘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.’

Speaking on the The Pat McAfee show earlier this month, UFC president Dana White announced how McGregor would be returning to the 155lb division – a weight category where he became the first dual-weight champion in the sport’s history in 2016 when he defeated Eddie Alvarez.

This comes despite McGregor hinting he would return to action at the heavier welterweight gold level.

He had insisted that he was desperate to be the first three-weight champion in the sport and has been bulking up during his time out through injury.

McGregor hasn’t fought since suffering a broken leg in the trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021 at UFC 264

The Irishman is scheduled to fight Michael Chandler (above) later this year 

Speaking to Matchroom Boxing ahead of Katie Taylor’s blockbuster homecoming bout in Dublin against light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron, McGregor said he was hoping to fight Chandler in December.

Before their bout, the pair will be the coaches for season 32 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, a knockout team tournament for young fighters which will run from May 30 to August 15.

And McGregor revealed a date for his bout with Chandler will be announced at the end of the show.

‘[The fight against] Michael Chandler, it will be announced during The Ultimate Fighter. 

‘The Ultimate Fighter is airing in a couple of days on ESPN, and by the time that show finishes, we’ll have a date and it will be set for the fans.’