It has been two years since Conor McGregor appeared inside an octagon. Coaching this year's Ultimate Fighter, one would assume the “Notorious” one will fight opposing coach Michael Chandler sometime in 2023, right?
Right now, it appears a McGregor fight may be farther away than we thought.
The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion has been away from the octagon healing after breaking his tibia against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The Irish fighter has also been busy appearing in films while promoting various businesses.
While McGregor promised a return to the octagon, he has yet to enter the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) testing pool.
Here's everything we know about what that means for his next fight.
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Conor McGregor next fight
Madison Square Garden is the likely destination for a UFC event in November, with Las Vegas hosting the December event. Both would be ideal destinations for a McGregor fight.
However, it is looking unlikely McGregor competes in 2023 with the deadline coming up. UFC President Dana White, asked about McGregor’s status following every UFC event, provided some (though vague) insight into his status.
“That’s correct [there will be an announcement during the airing of The Ultimate Fighter],” White said following UFC Vegas 73 via MMA Fighting. “There’s a fight. He (McGregor) has to get into the USADA pool first. He’s filling out the paperwork. I don’t know how soon that will be done or what’s going on, but that’s his business that he’s handling with USADA. But it’s all in motion.”
USADA has yet to receive a sample. McGregor was tested 16 times by USADA in 2021.
In March, USADA disputed McGregor's claims a meeting got set up between both parties. McGregor, in a deleted tweet, clapped back, claiming USADA was calling him a liar and that the program is "in the bin.”
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USADA sent another statement in May that they are in contact with McGregor after he told Mirror’s Donagh Corby, “That’s done” when asked about entering the pool.
“We have recently been in direct contact with Conor McGregor, and as he confirmed today in the media, we expect to receive his paperwork coming out of retirement and re-entering the USADA testing pool immediately,” said USADA via MMA Fighting. “Like other athletes who come out of retirement, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, McGregor will be subject to testing for at least six months and must provide at least two negative samples before being permitted to compete.
“The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all athletes who are not subject to a period of testing are adequately tested over a reasonable period of time before competing to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.”
When will Conor McGregor enter the USADA testing pool?
Normally fighters under contract with the UFC can exit the testing pool after retiring, which McGregor has done several times. It is a unique circumstance, as McGregor is adamant he will fight again.
This season of The Ultimate Fighter ends on August 15. At the end of each season, the coaches clash. However, there is no set date for McGregor vs. Chandler.
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The last UFC event of the year is December 16. To compete then, McGregor must enter the program by June 16. Following that, he would need to undergo six months of random testing before returning to action. Henry Cejudo, who retired in 2020, went trough the same process when he returned to face Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title in May.
However, the UFC could waive the waiting period in exceptional circumstances, resulting in him only needing two clean tests.
Various photos have appeared of McGregor looking bulkier than usual. He credits that to his gym work (as we have seen via photos on social media).
June 21, 2023: Per Michael Chandler, McGregor has not entered the pool. He's hoping a McGregor fight happens sometime in 2024.
🚨JUST IN🚨
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) June 21, 2023
Michael Chandler has seemingly confirmed that Conor McGregor is 𝗡𝗢𝗧 in the USADA testing pool - throwing their end-of-year showdown into doubt.
Still no official confirmation and USADA have yet to address any queries into McGregor’s status.
Thoughts? #UFC pic.twitter.com/xB4jWtqcUw
The Sporting News will provide more information regarding McGregor and his fight status when available.