Irish superstar Conor McGregor has been handed an 18-month suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy.
McGregor’s suspension began on September 20, 2024, and he will become eligible to compete again on March 20, 2026.
Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced on Tuesday that McGregor had missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024.
“UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times, so they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning,” read the CSAD press release.
“McGregor’s missed tests occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, and were each classified as Whereabouts Failures by CSAD under the UFC ADP.”
Despite the infraction, the agency was adamant that the 37-year-old had fully cooperated with the investigation.
“McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests,” read the statement.
“Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasises that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP.”
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The standard punishment for failing to disclose accurate whereabouts information has typically been 24-months, which would have ruled McGregor out of the much anticipated UFC White House card rumoured for mid-June 2026.
However, when taking “McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances into account”, CSAD deemed an 18-month ban appropriate, making him eligible to compete in the landmark event.
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