Conor McGregor has been accused of pulling out of the UFC's drug-testing programme, despite never failing a test.
The Irishman has been tested 62 times since the US Anti-Doping Agency began to work with the MMA promotion, but hasn't been tested yet this year, or in the final quarter of last year. And his long-time rival Tony Ferguson believes that it's because he has pulled out of the promotion's rigorous testing system, where fighters must update USADA of their whereabouts on a frequent basis.
McGregor has been recovering from a broken leg over the past year, but it hasn't stopped him from jet setting around the globe. He has been in Miami, New York, California, Dublin, Cannes, Rome and a host of other major cities, which would make it hard for a USADA representative to track him down as he continues to move around.
"I don’t think he’s been in the testing pool for USADA for about five or six months," Ferguson said in an interview with The Schmo. "He’s been on a boat. But I’m the real BOAT – That’s the Best Of All Time, motherf***ers.
"So, when it comes down to it, GOATs [Greatest Of All Time] come and go, BOATs stay afloat. Conor McGregor, he’s out there on the boat, so no motherf***ers can get to him.”
The UFC declined to comment when approached by Mirror Fighting .
Ferguson has had a bitter and long-standing feud with the Irishman since they were managed by the same company. The American has since left Paradigm Sports Management, but has struggled with form since 2020, losing his last four bouts in the UFC including a vicious knockout back in May against Michael Chandler.
And he believes that he could be the perfect opponent for McGregor when he does come back to the octagon, particularly given his own losing streak. The Irishman has gone 1-3 since 2016, including two losses in a row to Dustin Poirier last summer.
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“I’m going to kick him in the shin," Ferguson continued. "Regardless, you call McNuggets, man. He’s full of s***. So, if he had the opportunity to listen to it, he probably would’ve went to McDonald’s. He went to Burger King. So, I get underneath his skin. So, obviously, we’ve got a couple things going on for him."
McGregor is currently recovering from a broken leg that he suffered in his second loss to Poirier back in July, and is expected to return early next year. He has returned to kicking drills and boxing sparring, but is still unable to engage in full MMA sessions at SBG Ireland's HQ yet.
It is still unknown who he will face in his comeback to the octagon, although he has expressed interest in a possible match-up with Chandler, instead of Ferguson. There is also the possibility of a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz, as he has vowed to move up to welterweight upon his return.
