Conor McGregor seeking his next battle inside the Octagon

Conor McGregor, the renowned UFC superstar, is currently engaging in coaching duties on The Ultimate Fighter, Season 31, alongside former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. The agreement made prior to the show was that McGregor would eventually face off against Chandler after the season concludes in August.

While McGregor’s return to the Octagon is highly anticipated. There are a few important factors he must consider before stepping back into the spotlight. One crucial element is his compliance with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) drug testing protocols. In order to compete again, McGregor needs to re-enter the USADA-administered UFC athlete testing pool. This process requires him to undergo testing for a minimum of six months without any adverse results prior to his Octagon return.

Conor McGregor seeking his next battle inside the Octagon

Throughout his UFC career, McGregor has undergone extensive drug testing, with USADA conducting a total of 54 tests on him. However, following his defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. McGregor withdrew from the testing pool due to a debilitating leg injury that required surgery and recovery time.

Despite actively showcasing his training sessions and progress in his recovery. McGregor has yet to resume the USADA-administered drug testing protocols. Insider reports suggest that he has not undergone any testing in 2023, a fact supported by USADA test records.

Unfortunately, McGregor’s delay in meeting the USADA requirements means he will not be able to compete in the UFC’s final pay-per-view event of 2023, scheduled for December 16. Consequently, his return to the Octagon is likely to be postponed until early 2024. Nevertheless, McGregor remains determined to step back into the fighting arena, as he expressed his eagerness to get a fight going when questioned about his future plans.

Despite some misconceptions surrounding McGregor’s current situation, it is essential to note that he already has a fight lined up. As he focuses on his coaching role and recovery, the anticipation builds for his eventual showdown with Michael Chandler. Fans eagerly await McGregor’s return to the octagon and look forward to witnessing his extraordinary skills once again.

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