by Dane McGuire

Megastar Conor McGregor has been away from active competition long enough that should he make a UFC return, he will have to wait at least six months.

UFC President Dana White confirmed this during the UFC 280 post-fight press conference. Meanwhile, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has issued a more in-depth statement.

“Once UFC athletes are enrolled in the testing program, they are subject to testing – even when not competing – unless they notify the UFC of their retirement, their contract is terminated, or they are otherwise removed from the program,” replied an official, who declined to comment on any specific individuals in the testing pool.

“In the event of an athlete’s return to the UFC, they are required to remain in the USADA testing pool for six months before they are permitted to compete.

Similar to World Anti-Doping Agency rules, the UFC may grant an exemption to the six-month written notice rule in exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to the athlete, but in both cases under the UFC rules, the athlete must provide at least two negative samples before returning to competition. We do not comment on the testing pool status of any particular athlete.”

McGregor has not fought since his injury TKO loss to Dustin Porier for the lightweight title at UFC 264 on July 10. He is 1-3 as of late with the lone victory being a striking finish of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 on January 18, 2020.

McGregor is currently filming his acting debut in a remake of Roadhouse.

Outside of the UFC, both Floyd Mayweather and McGregor have discussed the possibility or lack thereof, of a boxing rematch.

“I want to go out there this weekend and have fun, then I have another exhibition in Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023. We don’t know if it’s going to be an exhibition of a real fight. But there’s been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition,” Mayweather told the Daily Mail.

McGregor responded by saying he is “not interested”. His UFC return is being speculated to take place during the first quarter of 2023.

CageNation will have more on this story as it develops.