Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy, according to the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) organisation.
The Irish mixed martial artist, 37, reportedly missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, leading to the suspension. UFC’s policy requires all athletes to provide accurate whereabouts information to enable surprise drug testing at any time.
McGregor’s missed tests occurred on 13 June, 19 September, and 20 September 2024, CSAD confirmed. Under the policy, failing to be available for testing on three occasions within a year constitutes an anti-doping violation equivalent to testing positive for a banned substance.
Despite the infraction, CSAD said McGregor’s cooperation and injury circumstances led to a reduction of his suspension from 24 months to 18 months. “McGregor accepted responsibility and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests,” the statement read.
His ban began retroactively on 20 September 2024, the date of his third missed test, and will conclude on 20 March 2026 — four months before his 39th birthday.
McGregor, who has not competed professionally since suffering a broken leg during his bout against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, has repeatedly expressed interest in returning to the octagon.
In recent weeks, he claimed on social media that he had signed to fight on the UFC’s White House card scheduled for 14 June 2026 — coinciding with the 80th birthday of US President Donald Trump.
However, UFC president Dana White dismissed the claim, saying no official fight negotiations were underway. “I made it clear that Conor wants to fight on that card, and you can see he’s fired-up about it, but nothing is done yet,” White said on Saturday.
On Monday, McGregor announced that he would be taking a break from social media, following months of public speculation about his comeback and political ambitions.
Outside the ring, McGregor continues to face legal troubles. In November 2024, he was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages plus legal costs to Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel in 2018. Ms Hand has also filed a civil lawsuit against McGregor and two others, alleging malicious abuse of court processes.
Last month, McGregor confirmed that he is no longer pursuing his previously stated intention to run in the upcoming Irish presidential election.
McGregor’s suspension marks yet another setback in his career, pushing his potential UFC return further into 2026 and casting doubt over whether he will ever reclaim his former championship form.
