Conor McGregor has been handed an 18-month suspension for breaching the UFC’s anti-doping policy after missing three scheduled drug tests within a year. The ruling, announced by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping body, marks another setback for the former two-division champion, who has not competed since 2021.
According to the findings, McGregor failed to provide biological samples on three separate occasions in 2024 June 13, September 19, and September 20. Each incident was recorded as a “whereabouts failure,” a violation that occurs when an athlete is unavailable for unannounced testing. Under UFC regulations, missing three such tests within a 12-month period is equivalent to a positive doping test.
The ban, which has been backdated to start on September 20, 2024, will run until March 20, 2026. However, McGregor’s cooperation during the investigation and the mitigating circumstances surrounding his missed tests resulted in a reduced penalty. Officials noted that he was recovering from an injury and was not in active competition or training camp at the time. He also accepted responsibility and provided full details to explain the missed collections.
The standard sanction for three whereabouts failures is 24 months, but McGregor’s punishment was shortened by six months in recognition of his transparency and compliance. The anti-doping authority emphasized that while mitigating factors were considered, the integrity of the testing system relies on accurate whereabouts filings and athletes being available for unannounced sample collections.
Since re-entering the UFC testing pool in early 2025, McGregor has reportedly provided four clean samples. Now 37, the Irishman remains one of the sport’s most recognizable figures despite his prolonged absence from the Octagon. His highly anticipated comeback fight against Michael Chandler, originally planned for UFC 303 in 2024, was cancelled following a leg injury that forced him to withdraw.
With his suspension set to expire in March 2026, McGregor could make his long-awaited return to action later that year. His comeback may coincide with a historic UFC event scheduled to take place at the White House on June 14, 2026—an occasion that would mark one of the most high-profile moments in the sport’s history. Pending medical clearance, fans may finally see McGregor step back into the cage for the first time in nearly five years.
