Conor McGregor still has some work to do before he can fight again.
On Saturday, UFC president Dana White announced that McGregor was set to coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Chandler with the lightweights this expected to clash before the end of the year. Before he can fight, McGregor still needs to re-enter the UFC’s anti-doping program, which requires six months of drug testing before an athlete is allowed to compete again.
As of now, McGregor still hasn’t re-submitted himself for testing.
“Conor McGregor, contrary to what we have previously confirmed, has been removed from the USADA testing pool. He would need to remain there for at least six months, and must have had two positive tests before he could compete,” representatives of USA Anti-Doping Agency said in a statement sent to MMA Fighting.
” For all of the above reasons, the coaches are not allowed to test in the pool. There is also no obligation for them or any other coaches to train in the pool. The plan is for coaches to compete . He would need to stay in testing pool for at least 6 months, and undergo two negative test before any bout .
Fighters can be given an exemption to the six months of required testing but McGregor will still have plenty of time to get back in the drug testing pool prior to his next fight, which won’t likely take place until the latter part of 2023.
Filming on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter is expected to start soon with the show debuting on May 30 and running through Aug. 15. McGregor and Chandler will then be fighting, but no specific date has been set.
The six months of required testing means McGregor could still re-enter the UFC’s anti-doping program as late as March and still compete in September, assuming he returns at least two negative tests during that time.
McGregor pulled himself from the USADA pool in response to a broken leg sustained in his fight with Dustin Poirier, 2021.. McGregor is currently recovering from the injury and has begun filming for his role in Road House, starring Gyllenhaal.
McGregor will shortly fly to Las Vegas with Chandler to shoot the reality series, before booking his fight for the first time in over two years.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/4/23585881/conor-mcgregor-still-hasnt-reentered-ufc-anti-doping-program-needs-six-months-testing-fighting-again?rand=96749
