Conor McGregor has provided proof that his UFC comeback is close.
‘Notorious’ hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021 but is booked to fight Michael Chandler.
On Wednesday, McGregor leaked an email that suggested he has officially re-enrolled in the UFC’s drug testing programme ahead of his return to the Octagon.
It reads: “The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) would like to take a moment to welcome you back as a member of the UFC Registered Testing Pool.”
USADA has been tasked with keeping the UFC clean since 2015.
McGregor has been in dispute with the drug testing body for much of 2023 due to the fact they want him to undergo six months of random tests before competing again.
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UFC CEO Dana White has the right to overrule USADA and simply ask his biggest star to pass two drug tests before ending his lay-off by fighting Chandler.
However, he refused to intervene, and the issue rumbled on for months.
A breakthrough was made last weekend as White told a group of reporters that McGregor had submitted paperwork to rejoin the UFC’s testing pool.
"No, he is not officially in the USADA pool,” the MMA mogul said about McGregor during his post-fight press conference at UFC Vegas 80.
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“He submitted the paperwork. Probably by Monday, he'll be submitted. Again, don't hold me to that but the paperwork is submitted. Next week sometime.”
A day later, McGregor confirmed his return to USADA’s program was official, but it seems like not everyone believed him as he felt the need to return with proof three days later.
The 35-year-old followed up his email leak by posting a picture of him climbing back onto a yacht after taking a dip in the sea.
McGregor will now start his six-month testing period which means he will not be eligible to fight in the UFC until April 2024.
White has remained coy about what event ‘Notorious’ will return at, but excitement is already building about him potentially headlining UFC 300.
Only time will tell when and where McGregor will make his comeback.
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