Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month suspension from the UFC after violating the organization’s anti-doping policy by missing three drug tests in 2024. The ban, backdated to September 20, 2024, will conclude on March 20, 2026— clearing the way for McGregor to potentially return at the UFC’s high-profile White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026.
The suspension stems from three missed biological sample collections on June 13, September 19, and September 20 of last year. Under UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy, missing three tests within a 12-month period constitutes a “whereabouts failure,” which is treated as a formal violation. Fighters are required to provide accurate location data at all times to allow for unannounced testing.
Although McGregor was recovering from injury and not actively preparing for a bout during those dates, the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) agency emphasized that compliance with whereabouts filings is mandatory. McGregor cooperated fully with the investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed explanations—leading CSAD to reduce the standard 24-month penalty to 18 months.
With the ban set to expire in March 2026, McGregor is eligible to fight at the UFC’s planned White House event, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. McGregor has publicly expressed interest in headlining the card and claimed he’s signed to face Michael Chandler, though UFC President Dana White has stated that no official bout agreements have been finalized.
McGregor has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier. A planned return in 2024 was derailed by a broken toe, but he remains active in the UFC’s testing pool and has submitted clean samples throughout 2025.
The suspension adds to McGregor’s growing list of off-ring controversies. He recently lost a civil case related to a 2018 sexual assault allegation and failed in his appeal. Additionally, McGregor abandoned his bid to run for President of Ireland, criticizing the eligibility requirements as a “straitjacket.” Despite the setbacks, McGregor remains one of the sport’s most polarizing and marketable figures, and his return in 2026 is expected to draw global attention.
Mark Wainaina (RGK)