Conor McGregor still HASN’T been drug tested for UFC return as date for Michael Chandler clash up in the air
CONOR MCGREGOR has still NOT been drug tested ahead of his proposed return to the UFC.
The promotion’s first two-division champion is set to return to action later this year for a mouthwatering showdown with fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler.
A date for the bout, however, hasn’t been finalised due to The Notorious’ absence from the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool.
McGregor must, per UFC and USADA policy, be in the pool for at least six months before being permitted to compete – unless he’s granted an exemption.
But the Irishman – who has undergone a dramatic body transformation during his octagon hiatus – has yet to submit any samples to the anti-doping agency this year.
That, however, doesn’t mean McGregor hasn’t re-enrolled in the pool – although it does cast some doubt over the date for his eagerly-anticipated clash with Chandler.
McGregor left the USADA pool in the months following the horrific broken he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The UFC’s poster boy claimed last November that he’d be back in the pool by February and that he’d seal a swift return by providing two negative tests.
He tweeted: “I’m clear for testing in February.
“I will complete my two tests per USADA & we are booking a fight.”
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McGregor fumed at USADA last month when the anti-doping agency insisted he’d have to follow protocol in order to make his return this year.
He tweeted: “This is my issue. I’ve not lied once. Nor have I tested positive. Ever.
“I have over 70 clean tests under this program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying.
“It’s ridiculous. F**k used. You are in The Bin. Over 70 clean tests.
“Never violated once. I will not be scapegoated by this garbage organization.
“You are not the be-all end-all in this equation USADA.”
UFC president Dana White has distanced himself from the anti-doping saga, recently saying: “Um, have you ever heard of [UFC Senior VP of Athlete Health and Performance] Jeff Novitzky?
“Ask him these questions. I don’t give a s**t about any of that stuff anymore.
“That’s his problem. I don’t get involved in the drug testing situation whatsoever.
“I know nothing about it, and I don’t want to know nothing about it.
“I leave it to the expert.
“He’s the expert in this thing, and you guys call him and interview him anytime about it.”