Conor McGregor re-enters USADA testing pool as he sets Michael Chandler date

'The Notorious' would like to make his latest comeback in November but must wait a while.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has confirmed that Conor McGregor is to re-enter the testing pool with immediate effect. On Friday evening, McGregor sat down with Ariel Helwani in his Black Forge Inn bar and confirmed, during his interview, that he was back in with USADA. In order to fight again, the former UFC feather- and lightweight champion must undergo six straight months of drug testing. McGregor has not fought in the promotion since July 2021, when he could not continue against Dustin Poirier having broken his leg. 'We have recently been in direct contact with Conor McGregor,' a statement from USADA reads:

'As he confirmed today in the media, we expect to receive his paperwork coming out of retirement and re-entering the USADA testing pool immediately. Like other athletes who come out of retirement, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, McGregor will be subject to testing for at least six months and must provide at least two negative samples before being permitted to compete.

'The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all athletes who are not subject to a period of testing are adequately tested over a reasonable period of time before competing to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.'

https://twitter.com/jedigoodman/status/1659676174161948673

Conor McGregor will fight 'by year end'

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are the two lead coaches for the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter and hope to face off in the UFC before the year is out. "December... potentially before," said McGregor when pushed on a date. "The process is the process. Myself and Michael Chandler will be competing by year end." UFC 294 is the latest confirmed pay-per-view fight night on the promotion's schedule for 2023, so far. That will take place in Abu Dhabi on October 21. It is likely that UFC 295 will be back in Las Vegas, in November, with McGregor's comeback potentially at UFC 296 at Madison Square Garden in New York. That main card could also feature Irish welterweight Ian Garry, as UFC president Dana White recently said the Dubliner would fight next in either New York or Boston. Related links:

• "We've earned it. We deserve it" - Ambitious plans for two big UFC events involving Irish talent
• Vintage Max Holloway hands Arnold Allen his first UFC defeat
• Conor McGregor reveals release date and trailer for his Netflix documentary series
• Jon Jones wins heavyweight title at UFC 285 as Ian Garry secures impressive TKO victory

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