MMA legend Conor McGregor has received a suspension of 18 months following three consecutively missed drug tests in a 12-month period as per the report from the Anti-Doping agency for Combat Sports.
The Irishman, a UFC featherweight and lightweight champion of the past, was alleged to have failed to provide his location for the testing that was to take place on June 13, September 19, and September 20 last year – a breach of doping control rules.
CSAD in their statement said that McGregor cooperated fully with the investigation and accepted responsibility as he gave accounts for the missed tests. “Even with the mitigating circumstances, it is a requirement that accurate whereabouts have to be filed and that unannounced testing be allowed in order to ensure the integrity of the sport,” the agency said.
His suspension, reduced from the normal term of two years, is in fact backdated to September 2024 so that he can be able to return on March 20, 2026.
The situation places McGregor at the UFC event, which is planned to be held at the White House on June 14 and will coincide with the birthday of U.S. President Donald Trump.
McGregor was keen to fight on the card but UFC president Dana White made it clear that no fight has been set up yet by saying, “Conor is on fire but nothing is done yet.”
