Conor McGregor comeback delayed until NEXT YEAR as Irishman misses drug testing deadline
Conor McGregor’s comeback will be postponed to NEXT YEAR as the Irishman misses the 2023 deadline to re-enroll in USADA’s drug testing pool…and Michael Chandler is furious!
- Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler is unlikely to happen this year
- McGregor missed the June 16 deadline to get clearance for the final PPV of 2023
- McGregor has not been subject to drug testing since the third quarter of 2021
Michael Chandler’s patience with Conor McGregor is starting to run out after the Irishman failed to meet the USADA drug testing deadline this year to stage their fight.
McGregor has been out of the USADA pool since the third quarter of 2021 and must undergo six months of random drug testing with the UFC’s official anti-doping partner before being allowed to fight.
Chandler and McGregor were set to face each other this year, but that seems increasingly unlikely given the former two-weight world champion’s USADA status.
The final UFC pay-per-view event of 2023 is scheduled for December 16, so McGregor would have had to re-enroll in the USADA program before June 16 to be eligible for the title.
However, McGregor has still not been added to USADA’s online database.
Conor McGregor has been off the USADA drug testing pool since the third quarter of 2021
A fight with Michael Chandler in 2023 seems unlikely as McGregor has yet to re-register
Chandler vented his anger at the situation and took to social media to send his rival a stern message.
“Okay guys, you’ve all seen the news: Conor isn’t in USADA,” Chandler said.
“One hundred and seventy-nine days left until December 16, which should be the last pay-per-view of the year.
“And comically USADA is at my door today to add insult to injury. Where are you, boy?’
Chandler and McGregor recently wrapped up filming for the final season of Ultimate Fighter, which sees both men used as coaches before meeting in real life.
The fourth episode aired on Tuesday and saw Chandler go 4-0 ahead of McGregor in the competition with a victory for his veteran bantamweight Timur Valiev.