The chances of seeing UFC megastar Conor McGregor back in the octagon in 2023 are getting slimmer by the hour. Due to rules put in place by USADA, McGregor may not fight for a second year in a row.
The Countdowns on for Conor McGregor
USADA are an anti-doping agency that ensures fair and safe combat in the UFC. Athletes that have retired or left the UFC on their own accord must enter the USADA testing pool for at least six months before stepping inside the cage again. This means that McGregor needs to enter the USADA testing pool by the 16th of June if he’s to compete at UFC 296 in December, which is slated to be the last PPV of the year.
McGregor received an Anderson Silva-esc leg break during his bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Leading the Dubliner to withdraw from the USADA testing pool to recover from the brutal injury. Many fans have speculated that this was to receive treatment for his leg, which may be illegal under the USADA’s banned substance list.
In a video released in May by Mirrorfighting, McGregor gets questioned about the issues he’s facing with the testing pool. To which he responds, “that’s done man… by year-end, I’m back in that cage”. However, four weeks later, there is still no sign of him in the pool on the USADA website.
Is There a Way Around the Six Months Rule?
Only one fighter has returned to the cage without undergoing six months of USADA testing, and that’s former UFC and WWE heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar. Lesnar returned to the octagon at UFC 200 after only a month of testing due to “exceptional circumstances”. However, his win on the night against Mark Hunt was overturned due to failed drug tests. It would be a surprise if McGregor is permitted to do something similar given the history of it. But if anyone’s able to do it, it would be him.
“The Notorious” may not be able to compete this year, but that hasn’t kept him away from the UFC. Every Tuesday night, fight fans can get their McGregor fix as he coaches a team of prospects against Michael Chandler’s team of veterans on TUF 31. Click here to find out how you can tune in to McGregor vs Chandler in the UK.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
