The Notorious Conor McGregor is out of the octagon for more than a year, however, he is still one of the sounding names in the MMA industry. Like him or hate him, he is to be given credit for raising the sport to what it is today. His fights and pre-fight conferences were a pure show for watching.
And while the UFC audience is eagerly waiting for his return to the octagon, the UFC president Dana White delivers some bad news in this regard. Conor McGregor won’t come back to the UFC’s octagon for at least six more months.
Conor McGregor Is Out Of USADA Drug Testing Pool – Dana White Confirms A Further 6 Month Postponement For His Return
Rumors about his drug use and his dropping out of the USADA drug testing pool emerged in September when the USADA record leaked. The list shows that USADA didn’t perform any tests on Conor McGregor for a long period. While others, active or inactive fighters, receive the tests approximately 4 times a year, USADA skipped Conor McGregor for 12 months.
However, from USADA there was no clear statement if Conor McGregor is out of the testing pool. As a result, the audience is confused if they are about to expect the return of the Notorious this year, or if that won’t happen.
Conor McGregor has been tweeting very often in the past months. He tries to remain active on social media and tries to remain ‘unforgotten’ in the MMA world. However, the Notorious doesn’t back up the trash talks with deeds. He went into different businesses and different careers, and it seems like his UFC career has been put on hold purposely.
At a recent press conference, a journalist asked UFC president Dana White about Conor McGregor. He brought up the question if Conor McGregor will be back in the UFC soon. And he asked if we will need to wait additional 6 months until USADA gives him permission to fight.
“Yeah, he’ll have to be in it for six months.” – Dana White answered short.
The UFC is a serious MMA promotion. In fact, it is the biggest MMA promotion in the world. In order to hold that ‘title’ all UFC fighters need to enroll in the USADA drug testing program.
This includes all fighters regardless of their current status in the UFC. Only fighters in retirement don’t have the responsibility to be subject to testing periodically. This applies as long as they are in retirement. The moment they decide to come back, they need to pass 6 months in the program prior to their return.
However, as in everything, there is a bypass to this rule as well. If the UFC decides, they can grant an exemption to the 6-month rule. They can welcome the Irishman with just two negative drug tests. This is what they did for Brock Lesnar back in 2016.
What do you think? Is Conor McGregor on steroids? Should we expect his return this year?
