McGregor reveals plan to make UFC comeback in 'first quarter of 2023'
Conor McGregor reveals plan to make his UFC comeback in ‘first quarter of 2023’, despite Dana White admitting he is not yet in USADA drug testing pool… with ‘Notorious’ finishing filming a movie ahead of his return to training
- Conor McGregor has not been tested by USADA for more than a year
- He will have to re-enter the UFC drug testing pool for six months before fighting
- McGregor plans on returning next year but April looks earliest possible date
- Having bulked up massively, it remains to be seen which division he enters
Conor McGregor plans on making his UFC comeback in ‘the first quarter of 2023’, despite Dana White’s recent admission that he is not currently in the USADA testing pool.
McGregor has not been tested for more than a year and must be available for tests for a period of six months before he can compete again.
His timeline would only tally with the UFC president’s if he returns in April, which on paper is the earliest he would be able to if he re-enters the testing pool imminently.
Conor McGregor has bulked up and says he wants to make his comeback in early 2023
On an Instagram live, the Irishman said: ‘I’m going to be back soon, hopefully. Early 2023 I’m aiming for. Sometime in that first quarter.’
He is currently wrapping up filming of a re-make of classic movie Road House with Jake Gyllenhaal in the Dominican Republic.
When he completes those obligations, he says he’ll jump straight back into training.
He went on: ‘That will give me a good couple of months [to prepare].
‘Once I wrap this up in a couple of days, get the camp going [for] a good couple of months. And get going.’
At UFC 280, White was asked about McGregor’s status and he confirmed that the former two-weight champion will have to be in the testing pool for six months.
The Irishman is not currently in the USADA drug testing pool that the UFC requires
McGregor lost twice against Dustin Poirier in his previous two encounters
There is a remote possibility of exemption, which the UFC allow ‘under exceptional circumstances’ and McGregor would have to pass two drug tests to be able to compete.
McGregor has bulked up massively since losing twice against Dustin Poirier in 2021. He broke his leg in their second fight and had it surgically repaired, leading to this long lay-off.
It remains to be seen if the Dubliner’s days at lightweight are over now and it will be fascinating to see which division, and opponent, is picked for the 34-year-old.
But there’s no doubt he is eager to prove himself again, having won just one fight since 2016.
The Irishman is currently filming a movie but that should be wrapped up soon
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