Michael Chandler is done waiting for Conor McGregor to begin USADA testing.
Michael Chandler is getting ready to face off against Conor McGregor later this year. He is currently coaching this next season of The Ultimate Fighter against him. The plan is for the two of them to face off inside the cage later this year but the date has not been set. There are a few things holding back the UFC from setting a date, but the most important is McGrgeor’s eligibility.
McGregor last fought in the UFC back in July of 2021. In that fight against Dustin Poirier, McGregor broke his leg and needed time away to heal. During his time off he pulled himself from the USADA testing pool. All active fighters must be in the pool and undergo random drug testing by the USADA. Due to McGregor’s absence, he is unable to fight. He will need six months in the pool, with clean tests to be able to return to action.
Michael Chandler is asking his management to hurry McGregor back to USADA testing
During the UFC 285 event, Chandler spoke with the media about his experience so far with The Ultimate Fighter and his upcoming fight with McGregor. It seemed as though Chandler is getting fed up with waiting for a date to be set. He is urging McGregor to get back to business.
“I just asked my management to start putting pressure and figure out,” Chandler said. “Right now, we’re at March. If we want to fight in September, he’s got to hop in the pool. That’s just the simple fact of the matter.
“We’ll see. I could care less, man. I don’t care what he weighs, what he’s doing. How long he’s in the USADA pool does not matter to me,” he said. “It’s another man with two arms and two legs and I’ve been doing this for over a decade, so, I’m excited to go out there and compete against him. But ultimately, rules are rules and we’ve got to figure out how to get around the red tape and all and get him in the pool and get him tested and all that kind of stuff.”
This bout between Chandler and McGregor is going to be one of the most anticipated of the year, if it does happen this year. Talks have been made about holding the event in the massive stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play. If that happens it will be quite historic. For now, however, Chandler must wait and continue filming the show. TUF will begin airing in May.
