BREAKING: USADA releases statement on Conor McGregor, addresses whether UFC will grant exception to six-month rule
Conor McGregor, who's currently not in the UFC's drug-testing pool, will need to be in the system for six months before competing again. A spokesperson for USADA, the UFC's anti-doping partner, gave the information to ESPN, who first reported it.
McGregor is currently recovering from a leg injury he sustained in his third fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The injury has kept him out of action, but the Irishman remains confident of a return to form in 2023.
2022. I’m improving rapidly! Working with the best team money can buy!
I’ll be back in no time, lock loaded! twitter.com/walkerlday/sta…
According to USADA's athletic testing roster database, McGregor has not been subjected to a drug test since the third quarter of 2017. Even UFC President Dana White has confirmed that it's mandatory for 'The Notorious' to fulfill the testing requirements as authorized by USADA before he makes his highly anticipated return.
Averi Walker, director of communications at USADA, told ESPN in an email about whether the UFC will grant exceptions to the six-month rule. Combat sports journalist Marc Raimondi tweeted earlier:
"UFC star Conor McGregor is not in the USADA drug-testing pool and will likely have to be for six months before returning to the Octagon, USADA told ESPN on Saturday. More on this coming to @espnmma."
New to ESPN: USADA says Conor McGregor likely needs to be in testing pool 6 months before UFC return espn.com/mma/ufc/story/…
UFC star Conor McGregor is not in the USADA drug-testing pool and will likely have to be for six months before returning to the Octagon, USADA told ESPN on Saturday. More on this coming to @espnmma.
@RobMaysey @espnmma The UFC can still waive the six months via an exception as long as a fighter takes two tests and comes back negative before competing
According to recent reports, it is safe to say that no exceptions will be made for the biggest superstar in the sport, and McGregor will be put through mandatory obligations.
Cub Swanson takes a shot at Conor McGregor over reports of the Irishman not being tested by USADA
UFC fighter Cub Swanson has mocked Conor McGregor for refusing to take part in USADA testing. McGregor was not tested by USADA in 2022 because he is nursing a broken leg sustained at UFC 264.
The Irishman recently stated on Twitter that he had notified USADA of his rehabilitation schedule.
Everything was fully disclosed before I began. The state of allowance for athletes to recover from injuries as horrific as the one I overcame must be assessed. My thoughts are with weidman and Anderson Silva. The 3 of us, and only us, know the severity of this injury.
In response to McGregor's tweet, Cub Swanson claimed that despite breaking his leg in high school, he never needed to use PEDs. To his Twitter followers, Swanson tweeted:
"I actually broke my leg in high school the same way. Still never taken PEDs"
Check out the tweet below:
@TheNotoriousMMA I actually broke my leg in high school the same way. Still never taken PEDs