Conor McGregor’s potential return to MMA remains a hot topic, especially following his leg injury at UFC 264 in July 2021, which put his career on hold. After being removed from the USADA drug testing pool during his recovery, delays in his re-enlistment further delayed his comeback. However, as of 2024, McGregor leads the UFC’s testing leaderboard under the new testing protocol with Drug Free Sport.
“The new #UFC Anti-Doping Test History database has been updated. Fighters with the most test sessions in 2024: Conor McGregor: 3 Robert Bryczek: 2 Dricus Du Plessis: 2 Darrius Flowers: 2 Themba Gorimbo: 2 Max Griffin: 2 Taylor Laplius: 2 Nathan Landwehr: 2 Pedro Lopes Munhoz: 2 Mayra Silva: 2 Sean Strickland: 2 Joshua Thawng: 2 Ramon Taveras: 2 Jeremiah Wells: 2 299 other fighters show 1 test session for this year,” Jed I. Goodman wrote on X.
Although McGregor’s USADA testing issues have been resolved, uncertainty lingers regarding his UFC return and potential opponents.
Last year, he and Michael Chandler were slated to coach season 31 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ fueling speculation of a future bout between them. However, McGregor’s delayed return sidelined these plans.
Despite hopes for a comeback at UFC 300 in April, McGregor’s return did not materialize. He later hinted at a return during International Fight Week in June, but this also seems unlikely.
Meanwhile, Chandler recently discussed the situation with Ariel Helwani, shedding light on McGregor’s current status and future prospects in the sport.
“I’ve been ready to fight since The Ultimate Fighterm,” he noted
“We’re not getting off this train. This is the fight that is happening, I can’t tell you a date, I can’t tell you a weight, but I can tell you the fight is happening. I have way too many assurances that this fight is happening to think otherwise.”
