Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month suspension from the UFC’s anti-doping program, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), after failing to meet the required whereabouts reporting three times during 2024.
The violations occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20 of 2024. McGregor will be eligible to return to competition on March 20, 2026, just three months before the UFC White House card.
CSAD Details McGregor’s Whereabouts Failures
“McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC [anti-doping policy],” CSAD officials said. “UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times, so they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning. McGregor’s missed tests occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, and were each classified as Whereabouts Failures by CSAD under the UFC ADP.”
CSAD noted that McGregor was not preparing for a fight at the time of the missed tests and was recovering from injuries.
“McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests,” the statement read.
“Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasizes that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP. Taking McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months. His period of ineligibility began on September 20, 2024, and will conclude on March 20, 2026.” via UFC.com
The suspension does not prevent McGregor from participating in the UFC White House event in June 2026, which he has previously expressed interest in.
McGregor has not fought since 2021, when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. A scheduled return in 2024 versus Michael Chandler was canceled due to a broken toe. In 2025, he has continued to submit samples as part of the UFC anti-doping program.
