Conor McGregor has submitted paperwork to re-enter the UFC’s anti-doping program, potentially paving the way for his return to the UFC octagon and a potential showdown with Michael Chandler.
After withdrawing from the UFC’s anti-doping program due to a broken leg injury, it seems Conor McGregor is now set to step back into the UFC arena. The former two-division champion recently took to Instagram after a training session, revealing that he has submitted paperwork to the UFC’s senior vice president of athlete health and performance, Jeff Novitzky, who oversees the organization’s anti-doping regulations. This comes as a crucial move for McGregor, as it potentially heralds his incorporation back into the testing pool administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Athletes who formerly withdrew from the testing pool are obligated to experience six months of testing participation before obtaining permission to compete once again. McGregor last withdrew from the program during his recovery process after breaking his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. Through Instagram, McGregor shared his assertive attitude towards his return, posting, “Find my targets. Hit them. F*** the consequences,” further hinting at future matchups with choice words directed at Michael Chandler, a likely opponent for his return match.
This potential matchup has been consistently delayed, pending McGregor’s official re-entry into the UFC’s anti-doping program. McGregor and Chandler have a previous history as competitors, having coached against each other in the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter. McGregor had been in contact with USADA since May but had not officially rejoined the program up until this point, with the latest update revealing that McGregor had not undergone a USADA test in 2023.
This all seems to be in anticipation of a possible face-off with Chandler at UFC 300 in 2024. Chandler himself had hinted at this showdown, expressing his belief that such a high-profile fight would be fitting for the UFC’s landmark event. Chandler’s and McGregor’s fight has the potential to be one of UFC 300’s main attractions, a date that promises to be one of the most groundbreaking UFC events since UFC 200 and UFC 100. Despite UFC 300 not being officially scheduled, it would probably occur in April. This would require McGregor to re-enter the UFC’s anti-doping program no later than October, in order to meet the necessary six months of testing beforehand—this aligns with McGregor’s recent submission of required paperwork.