Conor McGregor Unable To Make Quick UFC Return

Conor McGregor isn’t allowed to compete in the UFC just yet.

President Dana White and the United States Anti-Doping recently confirmed that McGregor will need to undergo six months of testing in order to compete again.

The confirmation came after reports that said the former two-division hadn’t been tested at all in 2022, meaning that he has not been a part of the testing pool.

This only typically happens when an athlete is leaving the UFC or is retiring from pro competition. If that’s not the case – like with McGregor – then the fighter will have to complete six months of testing before booking their next fight.

The MMA star, however, can get an exemption by the UFC and USADA.

McGregor has not fought since his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Along with the loss, the Irishman suffered a broken leg, which he has been rehabilitating since then.

White previously projected McGregor to return either late summer or early fall of 2022, but that continues to get pushed back.

Though the “Notorious” has been sidelined for over a year, he continues to get into online banter with the promotion’s top contenders like Charles Oliveira, Nate Diaz and, most recently, new lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

McGregor has continuously teased his return, and previously said on social media that he would not come back as a lightweight.