Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month suspension for breaching the organisation’s anti-doping policy, according to Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), MySportDab Reports.
The 37-year-old Irish fighter reportedly missed three biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024 — on June 13, September 19, and September 20.
Under UFC anti-doping regulations, all athletes must provide accurate whereabouts information to allow unannounced testing at any time.
McGregor, who has not fought professionally since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, cooperated fully with CSAD’s investigation.
The agency said his suspension was reduced from the standard two years to 18 months, citing his cooperation and ongoing injury circumstances as mitigating factors.
A UFC statement confirmed McGregor had “accepted responsibility and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests.” His suspension began on September 20, 2024, and will expire on March 20, 2026, just four months before his 39th birthday.
McGregor recently claimed that he has signed to fight on the UFC’s proposed White House card on June 14, 2026—an event expected to coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. However, UFC president Dana White denied those claims, insisting that “no fights are being negotiated yet.”
Away from the octagon, McGregor announced on Monday that he is taking a break from social media.
The Irishman remains embroiled in legal matters, having been ordered in November 2024 to pay £206,000 in damages plus costs to Nikita Hand, who accused him of rape in a 2018 Dublin hotel incident.
Ms Hand has also filed a civil suit against McGregor and two others, alleging malicious abuse of court processes.
McGregor has also confirmed he is no longer pursuing a bid for the Irish presidency.
