Latest USADA, Conor McGregor update is finally good news
By Amy Kaplan
Conor McGregor and USADA are finally on the same page in regards to drug testing paving the way for the TUF 31 Michael Chandler fight.
OMG it might actually be happening finally.
Conor McGregor's stand-off with USADA looks to finally be nearing the ends and paving his way back to the UFC and to Michael Chandler.
According to McGregor, we'll have an announcement soon about the Chandler fight and his back-and-forth with USADA is "done."
“That’s done,” McGregor said during a media scrum, according to MMA Fighting. “By year end, I’m back in that cage having competed. I’m gearing up now, ready to go.
“[The fight against] Michael Chandler, it will be announced during The Ultimate Fighter. The Ultimate Fighter is airing in a couple of days on ESPN, and by the time that show finishes, we’ll have a date and it will be set for the fans.”
Conor McGregor is expected to enter USADA testing pool 'immediately'
And for once, it seems like he and the anti-doping agency are on the same page.
In a statement to MMA Fighting, USADA confirmed McGregor's comments.
“We have recently been in direct contact with Conor McGregor, and as he confirmed today in the media, we expect to receive his paperwork coming out of retirement and re-entering the USADA testing pool immediately. Like other athletes who come out of retirement, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, McGregor will be subject to testing for at least six months and must provide at least two negative samples before being permitted to compete. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all athletes who are not subject to a period of testing are adequately tested over a reasonable period of time before competing to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.”
This is in stark contrast to the prior comments in which McGregor said he wouldn't be required to do the six-month testing, despite USADA insisting that he would.
The bottom line is this is all great news (especially if you are Chandler).
TUF 31 begins airing on May 31.
Next. When is Conor McGregor's next fight?. dark