After Months Of Speculation, Conor McGregor Draws ‘First Blood’ and Grazes Closer to Official UFC Return

Former champ Conor McGregor re-enters UFC drug testing pool, and rekindles hopes of an Octagon return in the near future.

After Months Of Speculation, Conor McGregor Draws ‘First Blood’ and Grazes Closer to Official UFC Return

Conor McGregor shows visit from drug pool testers (Source: IMAGO/X)

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Four years away from fighting, sometimes the talk about a Conor McGregor UFC return starts looking very bleak. Despite multiple teases, ‘The Notorious’ is yet to rebound from his 2021 TKO leg break in any shape. However, McGregor recently divulged a series of snaps that might prove he is grinding in the right steps for an Octagon return!

Per the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP) standards, the Irishman reported he was the most tested fighter under the new DFSI testing regime. Later on, Conor McGregor failed to turn up for his UFC 303 PPV kickoff presser at the 3Arena during last summer’s International Fight Week. This was due to a broken pinky toe that put him out of a matchup against Michael Chandler.

Since then, he has not been linked to any more UFC fight bookings successfully. BKFC co-owner David Feldman recently reiterated how McGregor wants a big splashy comeback and is working hard for it. He has also wanted to make the America 250 July 4th White House Concept PPV card. However, according to the UFC Anti-Doping database, he didn’t register for a single test for all of 2025!

Well, that is all about to change. After debuting a new ‘Mohawk Mac’ look this week, McGregor shared some snippets of recorded testing late Tuesday night. The Irish fighter even had a number of captions to go along, proving his intent of return.

I gave my first blood test that is what the plaster is on my shoulder
I am ECSTATIC! I’m in SHAPE! #illtakeyourheadoffforreal #fullgrown @ufc #TheBig20.

Conor McGregor shared with a number of videos

McGregor’s plot for a UFC return has been bolstered, moreover, by the recent tease that he might meet UFC CEO Dana White in Italy soon. Contractually, he is on the last leg of his 2-fight run and hasn’t really sat down with the boss for a while.

But time and again, McGregor has reminded the world that he is the best bankable option for massive PPVs and live gate outcomes! He has surpassed a million in pay-per-view sales eight times in his UFC tenure; nine, including his crossover boxing stint.

So, the hype around a return, even if and when bleak, has potential. McGregor knows that and plays to that, and now he has reason to after being officially tested. In his IG Stories, the Irishman even gave quite a few photos of ‘peeing in the cup’ and plastered on the socket after being tested.

But, the buck doesn’t just doesn’t halt easily with McGregor. A Chuck Liddell-inspired hairdo, and drug testing aside, these tweet-sprees were part of a trifecta. The third one took a sly swipe at an old rival.

In another jab at UFC’s pound-for-pound king, Conor McGregor face-swaps Ilia Topuria

Conor McGregor is far out from making a dent in the Men’s Pound-for-pound or athletes’ rankings. But when has that ever stopped him from dreaming big or being the ‘Notorious’ one? In a recent dig, the Irishman did just that with his return pending.

Conor McGregor takes a swipe at UFC rival before return
Conor McGregor takes a swipe at UFC rival before return (Source: X)

McGregor ‘carbon copy,’  UFC 155-pound reigning king Ilia Topuria, is already a rag-to-riches storyline and the 10th two-weight champ. He is also only the second fighter to snag both the 145 and 155-pound undisputed gold after the Irishman. Topuria wanted to be docked as a name against McGregor if he were to return, before he himself won the gold at UFC 298.

What works in their dynamic even more is that ‘El Matador’ has bumped McGregor from his iconic idol role to take his place. Hence, the duo have bantered for months at an end now. Now, with AI swapping being all the rage, ‘Mystic Mac’ didn’t take long to notify him that it won’t be long before he returns and takes Topuria’s spot.

McGregor’s new haircut went viral, and he shared a since-defunct meme to his IG Story that swapped with and trolled the two-division UFC champ.

As of writing this, the Spaniard is yet to reply to this in his usual brash overtone. Topuria has long-lasting plans to make his legacy count and even wants a shift up to 170 pounds someday. For now, this could be a missed dig, a misaligned misdemeanor on social media that he ignores. Or, he could again ramp up talks of a McGregor fight that could put him in the running if and when he returns.

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