CONOR MCGREGOR does NOT have to re-enter the USADA testing pool to take part in the Ultimate Fighter.
The Notorious hasn’t been in the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
GETTYConor McGregor won’t have to re-enter the USADA testing pool to coach The Ultimate Fighter[/caption]
REUTERSThe Notorious will need to re-enter the pool for at least six months if he is to fight Michael Chandler[/caption]
ReutersConor McGregor was in the pool ahead of his ill-fated UFC 264 clash with Dustin Poirier[/caption]
He’s currently required to re-enrol in the programme for a minimum of six months before he’s eligible to compete again, although he doesn’t need to in order to coach against Michael Chandler on TUF 31.
In a statement to TSN, a USADA spokesperson said: “If there is eventually a plan for the coaches to fight each other, then Conor McGregor would have to be in the testing pool for at least six months and have two negative tests before any fight.”
Should McGregor re-enter the pool immediately, he’ll be eligible to compete in August.
The UFC’s poster boy revealed plans to enter the programme late last year.
He tweeted: “I’m clear for testing in February.
“I will complete my two tests per USADA & we are booking a fight.”
McGregor and Chandler, 34 and 36 respectively, will throw down after their stint coaching the Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas.
A date, however, hasn’t been finalised for their eagerly-anticipated welterweight showdown.
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UFC president Dana White said in the announcement video: “At the end of the season McGregor and Chandler will fight live on ESPN+ PPV.
“I do not have a date or location for that, but we will announce it soon.”
Former simultaneous two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since his horror loss to Poirier.
Chandler, meanwhile, was last in action against Poirier at UFC 281 last November.
Three-time Bellator lightweight champion Chandler is champing at the bit to get in the cage with the Irishman, telling ESPN: “I’m going to get in his face, make him take a backwards step right away.
“He’s going to feel my presence from the very beginning of the fight and then from there wherever the fight takes us.
“If I want to pick him up and put him down, I can pick him up and put him down and put a beating on him and get a submission that way.
“I believe I finish Conor in the second round.
“That’s my ‘Mystic Mike’ take on this, later on this year whenever it is.”