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.
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to ...
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' As...
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 2...
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecu...
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (...
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to see if America is "truly serious about diplomacy". Israel's armed forces has launched a missle attack into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into north Israel.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war suffered a setback on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned envoy visit to Pakistan for talks, even as parallel regional diplomacy continued and military tensions escalated in Lebanon.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (25 April), in an assault apparently involving jihadist and Tuareg-led groups.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment