Conor McGregor is facing at least another six months on the sidelines having not been drug tested for over a year.
The former two-weight UFC champion has not fought since he broke his leg in his second successive defeat by Dustin Poirier last summer. The Irishman had hoped to fight this year but his return was pushed back to 2023 after he suffered a setback in his recovery.
McGregor had also taken time out to film his first movie after landing a part in the remake of Road House alongside Jake Gyllenhall and it was later revealed he has not been drug tested since the third quarter of last year. Fighters must be in the testing pool for six months in order to be eligible to fight and UFC president Dana White confirmed that will be the case with McGregor.
McGregor has not won a fight in the UFC since he stopped Donald Cerrone inside 40 seconds of their welterweight clash almost three years ago. That was the Dubliner's first win since he knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round to become a two-weight champion in 2016.
McGregor recently confirmed he plans to return at 170lb after ballooning in weight during his lay-off. But he faces a long road to a potential title shot in a third weight division with champion Leon Edwards due to defend his belt in a rematch against Kamaru Usman in the UK next year.
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Khamzat Chimaev is likely to be among those clamouring for a fight against the winner if he remains in the division having failed to make weight for his fight with Nate Diaz in August. White confirmed this week he intends to match Chimaev with Colby Covington with the winner earning a title shot.
Belal Muhammad also continued to impress with his eighth win in nine fights when he stopped Sean Brady in the second round of their clash at UFC 280 on Saturday night. The only recent blemish on his record is a no-contest with Edwards when their fight was stopped due to an accidental eye poke.
