Is Conor McGregor back in USADA pool yet? The Irishman provides a massive update
Conor McGregor's USADA story has taken another complicated turn with the Dubliner's latest announcement.
McGregor has been absent from the USADA testing pool since the third quarter of 2021, shortly after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. 'The Notorious' recently returned as Michael Chandler's rival coach on TUF 31 as is expected to meet 'Iron' inside the octagon later this year.
However, the Irishman remains elusive for USADA, which requires returning UFC athletes to be under testing for a minimum of six months and provide two samples. Many believe the former two-division champion will try to exploit a USADA loophole to be exempted from the six-month testing window.
After going back-and-forth with USADA in recent weeks, McGregor has now made a shocking announcement, claiming to be back in the testing pool. Responding to a fan's query, the Dubliner wrote:
"I am long in the pool."
I am long in the pool. twitter.com/soyrololopez/sā¦
However, McGregor also posted two other tweets about the 'pool' which cast some doubt on the sincerity of his claims. Along with a picture of a swimming pool, 'The Notorious' wrote in the first tweet:
"We are in the pool! Happy Easter everybody ā¤ļøš"
We are in the pool! Happy Easter everybody ā¤ļøš https://t.co/G6jTtHiU50
The next tweet showed a toy floating around in the pool.
Ah the pool. https://t.co/KVdeqXKTRn
Conor McGregor subsequently hinted at a big announcement regarding the date of his upcoming clash against Chandler. The Irishman wrote:
"Stay Ready for the date."
Stay Ready for the date.
Has Conor McGregor submitted a sample to the USADA yet?
Conor McGregor dropped out of the USADA testing pool back in 2021 as his leg surgery would likely have required him to take several medications that might be deemed illegal by the drug testing agency. However, fans are concerned with the Irishman's unwillingness to get back into the testing pool, especially due to the recent bulk of his physique.
https://t.co/hJpZGQZOpD
According to the official USADA website, Conor McGregor is yet to submit a urine sample in the first quarter of 2023. While McGregor's upcoming opponent Michael Chandler has also not submitted any samples this year, 'Iron' provided two samples in the 4th quarter of 2022.
Recently crowned UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is the most tested athlete this year, having provided 11 samples so far.