Conor McGregor has officially re-entered the USADA testing pool and is preparing for a potential fight in 2024, although it is uncertain if he will have to undergo six months of drug testing before competing again.
Conor McGregor has taken the first steps towards his highly anticipated return to the octagon. UFC CEO Dana White expressed his expectation that McGregor would soon be officially back in the testing pool. True to White’s words, McGregor recently shared what appears to be a message from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), confirming his membership in the UFC Registered Testing Pool (RTP).
The message addressed to McGregor reads, “Dear Conor McGregor, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) would like to take a moment to welcome you back as a member of the UFC Registered Testing Pool (RTP).” This has led to USADA subsequently issuing a statement, affirming McGregor’s re-entry into the UFC anti-doping program. However, it remains uncertain whether he will have to undergo the mandatory six months of drug testing before resuming competition.
USADA’s involvement in the UFC’s anti-doping program will soon come to an end, as both parties failed to reach an agreement on extending their partnership beyond January 2024. Nonetheless, USADA officials have emphasized the importance of McGregor fulfilling the necessary requirements before he can step back into the octagon. “We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months,” stated USADA officials.
McGregor’s return to the testing pool signifies significant progress towards his much-anticipated comeback fight, showcasing his commitment to compete at the highest level once again. The timing and opponent for his return bout are yet to be determined, but his inclusion in the RTP brings him one step closer to his long-awaited comeback to the UFC.