While Conor McGregor is not in the USADA testing pool right now, it has been made official by the agency that the former UFC double champ will be entering the pool in February next year, in turn, making him elgible for his much-awaited Octagon return only after August 2023.
“I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight,” McGregor tweeted.
I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 24, 2022
While this tweet from ‘The Notorious’ seems to imply that it will be the beginning of next year when he returns to action, it is to be clarified that this will not be the case. All fighters need to spend at least six months in the test pool before they can compete, which means that McGregor will not be able to book a fight until August.
Furthermore, the anti-doping agency’s communications director, Averi Walker, was clear on this point while speaking to ESPN in a recent interview, insisting that half a year is necessary to be tested.
“McGregor is not enrolled in our testing pool and would have to be for six months unless an exception is granted, which we do not think would be applicable,” Walker told ESPN. [H.T Mirror.co.uk]
If McGregor is able to finally return in August next year at the earliest, it would mark a two year hiatus of the former Featherweight and Lightweight champ, since losing a second time to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The Irishman has been in recovery from a serious leg injury in the fight, which is what led to his defeat.
Conor McGregor hits back at Anthony Smith’s comments
After Anthony Smith, fifth in the UFC light heavyweight rankings, criticized the absence of McGregor in the USADA testing pool, the former double champion fired back at Smith with a series of tweets.
“This rat spoke to [Chris] Weidman who’d the same horrific injury and is having severe complications still, is bothered that I was able to heal/return to a normal way of life. He, like many other rats in my game, would be happier if I wasn’t able to play with my children the same again,” McGregor wrote.
This rat spoke to weidman who’d the same horrific injury and is having severe complications still, is bothered that I was able to heal/return to a normal way of life. He, like many other rats in my game, would be happier if I wasn’t able to play with my children the same again. pic.twitter.com/TaMeYVzmOD
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 26, 2022
“The audacity of this loser! @lionheartasmith you’re a loser,” McGregor continued, “The % of the bones joining back after a break like this is so low. You think I give a fuck about anything else. I am the most tested fighter all time in combat sport. I give everything to this game. You – Nothing!”
The audacity of this loser! @lionheartasmith you’re a loser. The % of the bones joining back after a break like this is so low. You think I give a fuck about anything else. I am the most tested fighter all time in combat sport. I give everything to this game.
You – Nothing!— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 26, 2022
“I thought you broke your leg yourself in your last fight lol you little dope. You embarrassment of a man! Keep my name out of your fucking mouth. Prick.”
I thought you broke your leg yourself in your last fight lol you little dope. You embarrassment of a man! Keep my name out of your fucking mouth. Prick.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 26, 2022
“Hahahaah walk it off you little tick. Broken leg my bollox. Embarrassing!” he added.
Hahahaah walk it off you little tick. Broken leg my bollox. Embarrassing! https://t.co/JevtXKWw8H
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 26, 2022
Purchase the UFC merch here.
Click to Predict here.