Why did UFC suspend Conor McGregor for 18 months? Reasons explored

Conor McGregor is down, but not out. The UFC superstar has been handed an 18-month suspension by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) after repeatedly failing to show up for mandatory testing, according to a Tuesday announcement from the organization.

"McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC ADP. UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times, so they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning."

CSAD added in its news release on the UFC's website:

"McGregor's missed tests occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, and were each classified as Whereabouts Failures by CSAD under the UFC ADP."

The ruling means The Notorious will be sidelined from the octagon until March 20, 2026, three months before the UFC's White House fight card scheduled on June 14, President Donald Trump's birthday.

Conor McGregor has been actively campaigning to be included on the card, marking his first fight in approximately five years.

Earlier this October, the long-time MMA champion announced through his X (Twitter) that his White House fight has been official.

"Done deal, signed, delivered. McGregor will compete in the White House for America’s 250th birthday."

Conor McGregor "accepted responsibility" amid CSAD's probe into missed tests

UFC athletes are required to provide the company with their accurate addresses so they can get examined arbitrarily. Conor McGregor's June 13 schedule occurred on the same day UFC CEO Dana White announced the cancellation of his scheduled fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303.

At the time, McGregor did not disclose his whereabouts, but the California State Athletic Department indicated that he was dealing with an injury and not preparing for a fight when the samples were supposed to be collected.

"Although McGregor failed to make himself available for testing on those dates, CSAD noted that he was recovering from an injury and was not preparing for an upcoming fight at the time of the three missed tests. McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD's investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests."

The department continued that he reportedly took responsibility, lowering his suspension to only six months.

"Taking McGregor's cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months. His period of ineligibility began on September 20, 2024 (the date of his third whereabouts failure) and will conclude on March 20, 2026."

READ ALSO: When did Conor McGregor last fight? MMA artist claims his comeback match at the White House is "done deal, signed, delivered"

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Meanwhile, the suspension comes after Conor McGregor announced he was taking an indefinite hiatus on social media, months after he was found liable for s**ual assault in a civil case at Ireland's High Court in November. The case originated from a woman's allegation that the UFC star attacked her in a hotel room in 2018.

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