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Conor McGregor was hoping to return to the UFC in December against Michael Chandler, but it seemed unlikely to happen after not returning to the USADA test pool in time.
McGregor said in a series of audio notes on X (h/t Mike Boone From MMA Junkie). “I’ve seen Chris Weidman [at UFC 292]. Imagine what that injury is. I feel like I’ve been banned from my livelihood, and I’ve been feeling like this for years. I will not publish grievances. I’m going down, soldiers. I am ready. I wanted to advertise [UFC 296 on] 16. I’ve given it all up. So, that won’t happen. It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.”
Just a week ago McGregor laid out an ambitious plan for his return to the Octagon, and mentioned three opponents who were looking forward to him.
Next Chandler in December and then [Justin] Gaethje, BMF, and then we’ll do Nate [Diaz] The MacGregor Trilogy TalkSport said.
However, the UFC’s anti-doping program, which is led by USADA, requires fighters to be in the testing pool for at least six months before they can be allowed to compete. ESPN’s Mark Raimondi He noted that the USADA website shows McGregor has been out of the pool of tests since the third quarter of 2022.
McGregor has not fought since fracturing his leg in a July 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier.
The UFC once granted Brock Lesnar a dispensation to allow him to skip his six-month probation to compete at UFC 200 in 2016, but he later tested positive for a banned substance. Giving McGregor a similar exemption would likely not be compatible with other fighters.
McGregor coached against Chandler in the 31st season of the NFL The ultimate fighter reality competition series. The two are supposed to fight each other at some point, but Chandler He said recently He’s getting impatient with MacGregor waiting.
Bohn noted that UFC President Dana White said after UFC 292 on Saturday that there was no update on the schedule for McGregor’s potential return and that it would most likely happen in 2024.
McGregor didn’t address his probationary case in his series of audio notes, but he pleaded with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and the Nevada Athletic Commission to find a way to facilitate his comeback.
“I have the power,” said McGregor. “I’m going to keep doing my own stuff. I’m in a great place, and I’ll see yas all soon. F-king early next year, hopefully. Please God, someone. Ari, Ari. Oh my man. I’m ready, yeah, December 16th, I’m ready. Bob Bennett may have retired from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Not retired. Because when I’m on the run around the game – Bob Bennett episode. Tell the committee what the story is, because I’m locked out of my living here. Turns out Bob is retired and I’m like, “What the heck f–k?” I’ve been out of this game the longest. I’m on top of this yacht right now, but I’ve been on top of f-king long.”