Conor McGregor plans to resume drug testing in February and return to action shortly afterwards despite UFC policy suggesting he should face at least another six months out of action.
The Irishman broke his leg in his defeat by Dustin Poirier in July last year. McGregor's comeback was initially expected to be last year but it has been delayed until 2023 after he suffered setbacks to his fitness during his rehabilitation programme.
UFC chief Dana White then confirmed McGregor would not return for a further six months as fighters are required to be enrolled in the USADA drug-testing programme. McGregor's last test was over 12 months ago but he has claimed he can exploit a loophole in the system to return sooner than first thought, tweeting: "I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight."
McGregor will likely be required to provide grounds for exceptional circumstances, with fighters required to be enrolled in the system for six months. USADA released a statement after White's update on McGregor, which read: “Once UFC athletes are enrolled in the testing program, they are subject to testing - even when not competing - unless they notify the UFC of their retirement, their contract is terminated, or they are otherwise removed from the program.
“In the event of an athlete’s return to the UFC, they are required to remain in the USADA testing pool for six months before they are permitted to compete. Similar to World Anti-Doping Agency rules, the UFC may grant an exemption to the six-month written notice rule in exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to the athlete.
"But in both cases under the UFC rules, the athlete must provide at least two negative samples before returning to competition. We do not comment on the testing pool status of any particular athlete.”
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If McGregor is to serve his six-month period inside the programme, it could be nearly two years since his last fight once he is finally able to book a return date. The Irishman has piled on weight since resuming training after the injury, suggesting that he is currently walking around at 190lb.
This will likely see him return at 170lb which is a 15lb switch from his previous weight class where he lost to Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018. His last win came at 170lb against Donald Cerrone in 2020, and he is eyeing a return to the top of his game where he would become the UFC's first three-weight champion if he was to claim the belt.
