Conor McGregor: UFC star 'submits paperwork' to return to Usada testing pool

Conor McGregor is announced the cage by Bruce BufferGetty Images

Conor McGregor has three defeats in his past four UFC fights

Conor McGregor has begun the process to re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency's testing pool, says Dana White.

The Irishman was removed from testing last year after breaking his leg in his defeat by Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

McGregor, 35, was expected to face Michael Chandler this year, but cannot fight until he is back in the testing pool for six months.

"He is not officially in the Usada pool," UFC president White said. "He submitted the paperwork."

White added: "Probably by Monday, he'll be submitted. Again, don't hold me to that. But the paperwork is submitted next week sometime."

American fighter Chandler appeared on the UFC's reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter with McGregor earlier this year.

Traditionally, the coaches of the show fight each other, but the bout between Chandler and McGregor has been delayed after it emerged McGregor was not being tested.

The UFC's decision to remove him from the testing pool caused controversy, as Usada's rules state a fighter is only removed from testing if they "retire, have their contracts terminated or are removed from the pool".

The two-weight UFC champion suggested he exited the pool to focus on recovering from the leg break, which was an option not previously open to fighters recovering from serious injuries.

Asked when McGregor might make his return to action, White said: "I literally have nothing planned with Conor McGregor right now.

"The paperwork is being submitted. We'll play it by ear, see how things work out.

"There's still a lot of things that have to happen as far as fights go. Then we'll see where he's going to land."

With UFC 300 fast approaching in 2024, Chandler said recently he believed he and McGregor could headline that landmark event for the MMA promotion.

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