US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart confirmed that Conor McGregor has returned to the testing pool and also announced that the partnership with the UFC will end as of January 1, 2024.
USADA had previously denied McGregor a fight that was scheduled to take place in December because the fighter failed to pass a six-month testing period before returning to the octagon. Afterward, UFC CEO Dana White said he didn't care about USADA's opinion, but retracted his words a few days later.
Travis Tygart said:
We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months. The rules also allow USADA to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results.
"Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of January 1, 2024, USADA will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program. Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, October 9, that it was going in a different direction.
"The UFC's move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA's leadership."
Tygart wrapped up his remarks by stating that USADA will continue the UFC's doping testing program through December 31, 2023.
The UFC and USADA have been working together since 2015. The anti-doping agency has been testing UFC athletes in and out of competition for more than eight years.
McGregor's last fight was against American Dustin Poirier in July 2021 at UFC 264. In this confrontation, Conor was defeated by technical knockout after breaking his leg. He has 22 wins and six defeats.