The Dubliner could return as soon as July.
Conor McGregor at the White House in 2025.(Image: Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Conor McGregor’s UFC return has been given the green light after the Irishman’s 18-month suspension for missing drug tests came to an end.
McGregor missed three drug tests in 2024, the third of which coming in September 2024, with the Dubliner being slapped with an 18-month suspension for missing those tests.
That ban came to an end on March 20th, with McGregor now clear to fight this summer, as has been his plan for some time.
The former two-weight UFC champion was expected to be named on the UFC’s White House card in June, but after being left off that event, the 37-year-old is anticipated to make his return in the middle of the summer.
In a recent appearance on the Smash Cast show, McGregor spoke about his White House snub, revealing that he was under the impression that he would be fighting Michael Chandler on the card.
“As I was aware, it was the White House,” he said. “I was up for the White House. I know the administration was strong for me to be in the White House.
“It was McGregor versus Chandler. The story was built in; Chandler is a standup guy, he’s electric in the cage. He comes to bring it. I’m the Mac. I’ll fly through the air in an opponent like Chandler. It would have been dynamite as a fight. And somewhere down the line… [they said] maybe we’re going to go with you for International Fight Week (July).
“[I said] no problem [and they said] maybe we’re going to leave Chandler. I do like Chandler. I have been preparing for him for the last two years. I feel a bit weird; he deserves to go after the waiting and it would be a great fight.
“It gets me back in there but you know they feared off it. You know I’m not going to I’m not going to be too picky. I have to get back. I’m eager to get back. I’ve been out and love myself. So I’m sorry Chandler, it is what it is.”
Should McGregor fight this summer, it will mark his first bout since losing to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. During that five year hiatus, McGregor has been heavily linked with a bout against Michael Chandler, and was even scheduled to do so in the summer of 2024, but withdrew late on with a toe injury.