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.
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