Conor McGregor confirms he is closer to his UFC return after re-entering USADA’s testing pool

The Irish superstar hopes to be back to the octagon in an official fight in 2024, something he hasn’t done for more than two years.

Fidel RubioUpdate: Oct 9th, 2023 10:46 EDT

Good news for UFC and MMA lovers, especially for Conor McGregor fans. The Irishman could return to action in early 2024 after confirming he’s taking the necessary steps to make it possible.

McGregor confirmed that he’s entered that USADA testing pool, which would allow the former dual-champion to fight again for the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion.

The Notorious has been in the spotlight for the last months after making his second appearance in the fighting show The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF), but also for sparring and training for a long time trying to get ready for his next bout, supposedly against Michael Chandler.

McGregor: an optimistic and motivating message

The European fighter has been out of the US Anti-Doping Agency pool since the third quarter of 2021. He will now have to go through six months of random drug testing before being cleared to fight, which means he won’t be able to be back this year.

McGregor, who wants to keep making history in the UFC, recently posted a message on X, saying he’s doing the right thing to be able to compete again.

“I’m back in the pool. Will be doing my stint at high elevation before the bout”, he said.

I’m back in the pool. Will be doing my stint at high elevation before the bout.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 8, 2023

After receiving McGregor’s paperwork, the USADA released a statement.

“We have recently been in direct contact with Conor McGregor. As he confirmed today in the media, we expect to receive his paperwork coming out of retirement and re-entering the USADA testing pool immediately”, it said.

“(…) The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all athletes who are not subject to a period of testing are adequately tested over a reasonable period before competing to ensure a level playing field for all athletes”.

If everything goes according to McGregor’s plans, he will fight again after more than two and a half years. The Crumlin native has lost three of his last four fights, with back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier, breaking his leg in his second fight against The Diamond at UFC 264.