Irish MMA star Conor McGregor has been handed an 18-month suspension from competition for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy, according to a statement released by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) agency on Monday.
The sanction followed McGregor’s failure to appear for three scheduled drug tests within a 12-month period in 2024 — an offence treated as a failed test under UFC regulations.
CSAD revealed that McGregor, 37, missed sample collections on June 13, September 19, and September 20 last year. UFC fighters are required to keep their locations updated at all times to ensure they are available for random testing.
Originally facing a two-year ban, McGregor’s suspension was reduced to 18 months after he cooperated with investigators and provided evidence of mitigating injury-related circumstances.
According to a statement posted on the UFC website, McGregor “accepted responsibility and offered detailed information that helped clarify the missed tests.”
His suspension officially took effect on September 20, 2024, and will run until March 20, 2026, just months before he turns 39.
The former two-division champion hasn’t stepped into the octagon since his July 2021 bout with Dustin Poirier, where he suffered a leg injury. Since then, his comeback has faced multiple setbacks — from recovery complications to contractual and testing issues.
Recently, McGregor made headlines after claiming he had signed to compete on the “UFC White House” card set for June 14, 2026, coinciding with Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
However, UFC President Dana White quickly refuted the statement, saying, “Conor is eager to fight on that card, but no official negotiations have taken place. Nothing is confirmed.”
With a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses, McGregor announced via social media on Monday that he would be taking a temporary break from all online platforms.
Outside the cage, the Dublin native has remained in the public eye for legal controversies. In November 2024, a court ordered him to pay £206,000 in damages and legal fees to Nikita Hand, who accused him of sexual assault in a Dublin hotel back in 2018.
Earlier in August, Hand revealed plans to pursue a civil case against McGregor and two others, citing malicious abuse of court processes.
Just last month, McGregor confirmed he had dropped plans to run for the Irish presidency, a move that had sparked wide debate earlier in the year.
With his suspension now in effect, the once-dominant fighter faces yet another long road before any possible return to the octagon.
