UFC fighter Conor McGregor has been issued an 18-month suspension for breaching the UFC’s anti-doping regulations after missing three scheduled drug tests in 2024, according to a statement released by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) on Tuesday.
According to CSAD, McGregor failed to appear for three scheduled biological sample collections within a 12-month period — on 13 June, 19 September, and 20 September 2024. Under UFC regulations, athletes are required to maintain accurate whereabouts information at all times to allow for unannounced testing.
The suspension has been made retroactive to 20 September 2024, the date of his final missed test, and will remain in effect until 20 March 2026. The agency noted that McGregor was recovering from injury and not preparing for competition during the missed tests, and that he cooperated fully with the investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided documentation clarifying the circumstances.
Taking these mitigating factors into account, CSAD reduced the usual 24-month penalty for three whereabouts failures by six months. However, the body emphasised that the integrity of the anti-doping system relies on accurate filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing.
CSAD oversees the UFC’s year-round testing programme independently, with sample collections carried out by Drug Free Sport International and analysed at the WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City.
McGregor, 37, rejoined the UFC testing pool in 2025 and has since submitted four samples. The former two-division champion has not competed since July 2021, after a leg injury cut short his bout. His scheduled UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler in 2024 was cancelled due to that injury.
With his suspension ending in March 2026, McGregor could return to the octagon later that year, pending medical clearance and an approved bout. His comeback could coincide with the UFC card at the White House, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump for 14 June 2026.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic miss...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concer...
Country music legend Dolly Parton, whose songs, unmistakable style and warmth made her one of America’s most enduring entertainers, has died ...
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Canada has announced nearly $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and billions in support for workers and businesses, escalating its trade dispute with Washington after President Donald Trump's latest duties took effect.
Pakistani exporters are facing soaring shipping costs to the U.S., with freight rates more than tripling on some routes as the Iran-U.S. conflict drives up war-risk insurance and fuel costs.
The trial of a Libyan man accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988, killing 270 people, has been postponed by a U.S. federal judge.
France and Saudi Arabia have agreed on plans for a $7 billion manga-themed amusement complex near Paris, inspired by the hugely popular Japanese franchise Dragon Ball Z.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment