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the UFC It was announced that Conor McGregor has accepted a lengthy disqualification for violating the company’s anti-doping policy.
McGregor agreed An 18-month ban after missing three attempts to “collect biological samples during a 12-month period in 2024,” a violation of the anti-doping policy.
“UFC athletes are required to provide accurate information about their whereabouts at all times, so that they can be contacted and submitted for biological sample collections without notice,” the UFC said. “The tests that McGregor missed were conducted on June 13, September 19 and September 20, 2024, and each were classified as ‘failure venues’ by CSAD (Combat Sports Anti-Doping) under the UFC ADP.”
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Conor McGregor leaves Blanchardstown Court, Dublin, where he was charged with dangerous driving in relation to an incident in west Dublin in March 2022. (Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)
McGregor was initially scheduled to be suspended for 24 months, although cooperation with the company resulted in the suspension being reduced, according to the press release.
“Although McGregor failed to make himself available for testing on those dates, CSAD indicated that he was recovering from injury and was not preparing for an upcoming fight at the time of the three missed tests. McGregor cooperated fully with the CSAD investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests.
“Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD maintains that accurate recording of whereabouts and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP. Taking into account McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances, CSAD has reduced the standard 24-month sentence for three failures to determine whereabouts by six months.”
McGregor’s suspension is retroactive to the date of the last test he missed, meaning he is eligible to return to competition in March 2026 – three months before the potential White House fight card he has publicly said he would like to fight.
Conor McGregor of Ireland prepares to fight Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Zova LLC)
president Donald Trump He announced that the White House card, where the UFC will host an event on the iconic landmark’s iconic lawn, will take place in June 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ birth.
While McGregor said his return to the Octagon was a “done deal” for the highly anticipated event, UFC CEO Dana White shot it down after UFC 320 last Saturday.
“I made it clear that Conor wants to fight on that card, and you can clearly see that Conor is very excited to fight on that card,” White told Yahoo Sports. “But nothing has been done yet, and no fights are being negotiated with the White House.”
White promised it would be “the greatest fight card ever put together” for the White House event.
UFC star Conor McGregor has been suspended for 18 months by the company for violating anti-doping rules. (AP Photo/John Loescher, File)
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McGregor has not fought any fight since July 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier in the third act of their competition. He was previously scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, but broke his little toe on June 13 of that year, the first failed tryout date in the UFC edition.
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