The MMA world has been rocked by the news that Conor McGregor has been banned from competing for 18 months following an anti-doping violation.
The news emerged on Tuesday evening, after the Combat Sports Anti-Doping released a statement saying that the Irishman missed three attempted biological tests last year, failing to provide updates on his whereabouts, which violates their rules.
UFC policy specifies that all fighters and athletes must be prepared to provide their location at all times, so they can be tested for substances without warning.
The UFC released a lengthy statement on the matter, in which it said: “McGregor’s missed tests occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, and were each classified as Whereabouts Failures by CSAD under the UFC ADP.”
Conor McGregor’s Anti-Doping Suspension Reduced
The ban usually lasts for 24 months, however, in McGregor’s circumstance, the ban is 18 months long. The statement read: “Although McGregor failed to make himself available for testing on those dates, CSAD noted that he was recovering from an injury and was not preparing for an upcoming fight at the time of the three missed tests.
“McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests. Taking McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months. His period of ineligibility began on September 20, 2024, and will conclude on March 20, 2026.”
Conor McGregor’s UFC Career
McGregor has not competed in a UFC cage since breaking his leg in his last fight, which was against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. With this reduced ban, however, he is still able to compete at the White House event next year, an event he has been heavily rumoured to fight at.
Since his last fight, ‘The Notorious’ has heavily teased a return on numerous occasions, but his comeback at the White House looks more likely than ever, with UFC President Dana White even commenting on the matter, saying the Irishman is very serious.
