The fight that will mark Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon is scheduled to take place this year; however, it appears that fans will have to wait a little longer due to the doping policy of the UFC.
UFC president Dana White officially announced that Michael Chandler will be Conor McGregor’s opponent when he returns to the octagon. Even if this is fantastic news for Conor’s fans, there is still one lingering question.
The Irish UFC fighter has decided to remove himself from the dope testing pool because he has not competed in almost two years owing to a leg injury he suffered in his most recent fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
A representative of the United States Anti-Doping Agency has raised an issue in advance of Conor McGregor’s return. The issue states that the lightweight fighter is not permitted to fight until he renews his enrollment and comes out negative at least twice.
“As we’ve confirmed before, as of today, Conor McGregor has not been reenrolled in the USADA testing pool, which he would have to be in for a minimum of six months and have at least two negative tests prior to any competition,” said the representative.
Conor McGregor will need six months of USADA drug testing and two negative tests before fighting Michael Chandler.
📰 https://t.co/HVDVeRCJC9 pic.twitter.com/BKNqTqjzC6
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 4, 2023
“For all the obvious reasons, coaches are not in our testing pool and there is no requirement for him or other coaches to be in the testing pool just to coach. If there is eventually a plan for the coaches to fight each other, then he would have to be in the testing pool for at least six months and have two negative tests before any fight.” the representative added.
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will coach TUF, per Dana White 🍿👀 pic.twitter.com/wtmMMvqcCD
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 4, 2023
Notorious’s legion of devout fans is aching for Conor’s Octagon comeback. However, the Irishman is scheduled to resume his coaching role in the upcoming 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter.
