Conor McGregor Receives 18-Month Ban for Violating UFC Anti-Doping Rules
Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, has been suspended for 18 months due to violations of the UFC’s anti-doping policy. Announced by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) on Tuesday, the suspension stems from McGregor missing three attempted drug tests within a 12-month period in 2024.
Details of the Violations
According to CSAD, McGregor missed the collection of biological samples on three specific dates: June 13, and September 19 and 20, 2024. Each of these instances was classified as a “whereabouts failure,” which is a violation of the UFC’s anti-doping regulations.
Duration of the Suspension
The 18-month suspension has been retroactively applied, starting on September 20, 2024, and will end on March 20, 2026. CSAD took into consideration McGregor’s recovery from an injury and his cooperation during the investigation. He accepted responsibility for the missed tests and provided information that clarified his situation.
Reduction of Penalty
While the standard penalty for similar violations is typically 24 months, CSAD opted to reduce McGregor’s term by six months, acknowledging his mitigating circumstances. Despite this, they emphasized the importance of accurate whereabouts filings and the necessity for unannounced testing as part of the success of the UFC anti-doping policy.
Future Eligibility
Following his suspension, McGregor re-entered the UFC testing pool and provided four samples in 2025. He has not competed since July 2021. His anticipated match against Michael Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024 was canceled because McGregor withdrew due to injury.
Looking Ahead
The suspension will conclude in March 2026, allowing McGregor to become eligible to compete again, pending medical clearance. This timing could align with a major UFC event planned for June 14, 2026, which has been announced to take place at the White House.
