UFC Icon Conor McGregor Expected to Re-Enter USADA Drug-Testing Pool 'Immediately'

As he looks to make his long-awaited return to the octagon, Conor McGregor is expected to re-enter the USADA drug-testing pool as soon as possible, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi.

Raimondi tweeted out a statement that he got from USADA on Friday:

McGregor, who hasn't fought since 2021, spoke to reporters Friday in Dublin while promoting a fight and basically said that he's all set with USADA and that he expects to be back in the octagon by the end of the year.

"That's done, my man," McGregor said. "That's done. Year end, I'm back in that cage having competed. I'm gearing up ready to go."

If McGregor is going to accomplish his goal of fighting by the end of the year, he'd have to be back in the USADA pool by June 1 as he needs to submit two negative tests and be available for random drug checks for the next six months before being allowed to compete.

He last fought against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas where he broke his tibia in horrific fashion during the first round of the bout. It was his second consecutive loss to Poirier and his third loss in his last four fights.

The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion took the last year off to recover from his injury but has been looking to make his way back to the octagon for a while and prove that he's still one of the best in the fight game.

It was announced earlier this year that McGregor would coach the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter against Chandler and that the two would face off at a later pay-per-view event.

Joining the UFC in 2021, Chandler has gone 2-3 while with the company but has been a standout performer. He's had a shot at the lightweight title against Charles Oliveira and has won Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night two times apiece.