UFC star Conor McGregor slapped with 18-month drugs ban

Conor McGregor has been hit with an 18-month drugs ban after missing three tests last year.

The former two-weight UFC champion failed to make himself available to the testers on three dates - June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024. He was facing a two-year ban which would have ruled him out of next summer's UFC card at the White House, but he has instead been suspended until March 20.

A statement from the UFC read: "Although McGregor failed to make himself available for testing on those dates, CSAD (Combat Sports Anti-Doping) 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.

"Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasises that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP. 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."

McGregor has not fought for over four years, since he broke his leg in the first round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He was due to fight Michael Chandler last summer but pulled out of the fight at two weeks' notice with a broken toe.

The fight could be revisited next summer when President Donald Trump hosts the promotion in his back garden on June 14 - his birthday - to celebrate 250 years of American independence.

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McGregor, who announced he was taking a break from social media on Monday, has not responded to the announcement of his ban.

But he has insisted he will be ready to fight for the first time in five years next summer. "I have eight months and change out to the White House event. It's a six-month operation," McGregor said last week.

"I consider it a six-month operation to get ready for this bout. That's my focus right now. I'm just eager to climb the steps into being ready for my return. There's a lot at stake, and I'm very excited at the opportunity."