Conor McGregor Accepts 18-Month Ban Over Missed Doping Tests
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month sanction for breaching anti-doping regulations after missing three drug tests in 2024, the UFC confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the UFC, McGregor failed to provide his whereabouts on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, preventing the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) agency from collecting his biological samples as required under anti-doping protocols.
“McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests,” the statement read.
Under standard rules, three “whereabouts failures” typically result in a 24-month ban, but McGregor’s sanction was reduced by six months due to his cooperation and the mitigating circumstances surrounding the missed tests.
His period of ineligibility officially began on September 20, 2024 — the date of his third missed test — and will end on March 20, 2026.
McGregor, who last competed in July 2021, suffered a broken leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, which has kept him out of competition since then. Despite the setback, the Irish fighter has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to the Octagon.
He recently stated that he hopes to make his comeback on a special UFC card proposed to be held at the White House in June 2026, once his suspension period concludes.
The ruling adds another chapter to McGregor’s turbulent career, which has been marked by both his explosive success inside the cage and frequent controversies outside of it.