REVEALED: Is Conor McGregor back in the USADA pool yet? When does he need to re-enter to compete at the end of TUF?
UFC president Dana White made a huge announcement that might make 2023 a momentous year for the organization: Conor McGregor will be returning to the sport. In the forthcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), 'The Notorious' will serve as a coach alongside fellow lightweight kingpin Michael Chandler.
Since joining the UFC, Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, has wanted to face McGregor, and even three losses in his five professional bouts haven't diminished fan excitement in such a matchup. Chandler anticipated that the two fighters, with their explosive styles, would have all the ingredients for a memorable bout, and the UFC agreed.
Since his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, Conor McGregor has been recovering from a leg injury that has kept him out of action for an extended period of time. The Irishman left the USADA testing pool to recover from his injuries; however, the current rules stipulate that he must remain in the pool for six months before resuming competition.
ESPN MMA reporter Marc Raimondi offered some clarity on the matter on Twitter, stating:
"Conor McGregor has not re-entered the USADA drug-testing pool as of today, according to the agency. USADA reiterated that he would need to be in the pool for six months and pass at least two drug tests to compete again in the UFC."
Raimondi added:
"Of course, McGregor can still coach TUF without being in the USADA drug-testing pool. There is still time for him to re-enter the pool for a fight in late August or September after the TUF season airs, which is what I fully expect to happen."
Check out the tweets below:
Conor McGregor has not re-entered the USADA drug-testing pool as of today, according to the agency. USADA reiterated that he would need to be in the pool for six months and pass at least two drug tests to compete again in the UFC.
Of course, McGregor can still coach TUF without being in the USADA drug-testing pool. There is still time for him to re-enter the pool for a fight in late August or September after the TUF season airs, which is what I fully expect to happen.
Michael Chandler is ecstatic about the TUF series vs Conor McGregor
Michael Chandler was rewarded for his relentless pursuit of a bout with Conor McGregor. In the upcoming season of TUF, McGregor will return to competition as a rival coach against Chandler.
The shooting for season 31 of TUF will begin in May, with both combatants expected to square off at the end of the series. Although no official date has been set for the fight, Chandler is already counting down the days. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chandler stated:
"I cannot wait, this is something that I have wanted to do forever. I've wanted to take off the fighter cap and put on the coaching cap, to usher these young men and women into the opportunity of a lifetime. I get the opportunity to coach a handful of them, so now we build the hype and competition."
Michael Chandler has never been one to spew trash, but he has teased that viewers of The Ultimate Fighter will get to see a "different version of him" when he faces off against Conor McGregor, one of the UFC's most outspoken figures.
Check out the full video below: