Conor McGregor Remains Coy On The USADA Question – ‘There’s Hurdles’
Conor McGregor needs to be part of UFC’s drug-tested athletes before he can return to the Octagon, but as of now, this has not happened yet.
During the past year and a half, McGregor has been recovering from a severe leg injury, dealing with additional accusations of assault, and working on a film project.
Currently, he is finishing up filming for the latest season of the Ultimate Fighter with Michael Chandler, a former Bellator champion.
It is anticipated that the two will eventually fight in the Octagon, although this is not yet confirmed. The UFC’s drug testing agency, USADA, is a major obstacle to McGregor’s possible return in 2023.
After his defeat to Dustin Poirier, McGregor left the UFC’s active athletes’ pool to recover from his leg injury. To compete again, he must comply with UFC regulations, which require him to enroll for six months and pass at least two drug tests.
In an interview with the MMA Hour, McGregor was asked about his return to USADA. However, he avoided giving a direct answer and mentioned that he had been in touch with the agency.
McGregor emphasized that he considered completing two tests more significant than the six-month waiting period.
Conor McGregor talks USADA.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/LhLgVsvmqU
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 16, 2023
“There’s hurdles and whatnot. But, we’re in contact, we’re in constant communication, and there’s an interview scheduled and a meeting happening, and then it will be official. But, the six-month thing is not—what they had said was: It’s two clean tests and off I go. So that’s why I’m not—I assume it won’t be too long,” McGregor.
USADA Response
USADA has denied McGregor’s claims and stated that they had not been informed about his return to compete. They emphasized that fulfilling two tests and the six-month requirement is mandatory.
“While we meet with all athletes who enter or re-enter the testing pool, we do not currently have a meeting set with Conor, and, as of today, we have not received notice of his coming out of retirement to compete.
“The UFC rules are clear that, in addition to two negative tests, an athlete must make themself available for testing for six months before returning to competition. This is a fair way.”