McGregor banned from UFC for 18 months after failing to attend three seperate drug tests

The UFC says McGregor had missed three drug tests last year – on June 13th, September 19th, and September 20th.

As a result, the UFC has banned him from competing for 18 months, with the suspension backdated to the date of his final missed test.

That means McGregor (37) could still take part in a planned UFC event at the White House next June, something McGregor has claimed he will headline.

A UFC statement released on Tuesday read: "Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced today that Conor McGregor has accepted 18 months of ineligibility for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP)."

McGregor missed the three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC ADP.

3

Conor McGregor being interviewed by Tucker Carlson.

"UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times so that they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning."

 The statement went on to say, "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."

The organisation added "Mr McGregor fully co-operated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests.

"Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasises that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP.

"Taking McGregor’s co-operation 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."

3

Conor McGregor photographed with Trump and Musk at the White House during the St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Recently, the former champion has been involved in the Irish Presidential race, making clear his intention to run for the office of Úachtaráin na h’Éireann; however, he failed in his high-profile bid to be nominated for the Áras.

He has since slammed the procedures involved, saying that the criteria needed to become the Irish head of state were a "straitjacket".

McGregor has not fought since July 2021, when he was injured during a fight with Dustin Poirier, when he suffered a broken leg.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.