Daniel Cormier certain Conor McGregor won't be granted exception to USADA six-month rule - "You don't get to make your own rules"
Daniel Cormier believes Conor McGregor won't be able to bend USADA rules to fast-forward his return to the octagon. Untested for over a year, McGregor recently claimed that he would be cleared for testing in February and would be back in action after two USADA tests.
I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight.
However, the drug testing agency clarified that 'The Notorious' is unlikely to be granted an exemption from the minimum testing period of six months. Cormier believes that hopes of competing after two tests is wishful thinking on the part of the Irish superstar. The former UFC double-champion said on the DC & RC Show:
"You don't get to do two tests and then just schedule a fight. It doesn't work like that. It doesn't work like that. You gotta do six months of testing. You gotta do six months of testing. Conor trying to make his own rules. You don't get to make your own rules. Like he is saying, he's gonna do two tests and then he is booking a fight... It seems like McGregor is trying to will [it] into existence."
Watch Cormier's comments below (0:53):
I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight.
Conor McGregor could technically be allowed to compete after two tests
Conor McGregor has been accused of attempting to bend USADA rules by looking to compete after two tests. However, McGregor's two-test claim and the USADA's minimum six-month testing regimen don't necessarily have to be contradictory.
As per the USADA-backed UFC anti-doping program, a returning athlete has to be under the agency's testing pool for a minimum of six months. Irrespective of an exemption, the athlete is required to submit a minimum of two negative tests before competing.
Since Conor McGregor never specified a timeline, the Irishman might as well be looking to undergo the six-month testing regimen, submitting two tests within that period.
It must also be noted that USADA is required to perform a minimum of 2,750 tests across the UFC roster per year, averaging five tests per fighter per annum. Therefore, McGregor getting tested twice within six months would not be an anomaly.
But it is also not unusual for an athlete to be tested way more often. McGregor successfully passed eleven tests last year, of which ten came in the first half of the year.