“I’m the most tested athlete under new regime” – Conor McGregor makes huge claim about drug testing numbers after USADA’s departure

Conor McGregor goes candid about being most frequently tested under the new UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP) standards; stays hopeful for June return.

“I’m the most tested athlete under new regime” – Conor McGregor makes huge claim about drug testing numbers after USADA’s departure

Tested extensively under the new regime, Conor McGregor stays angsty for a return (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Conor McGregor is a former 2-division champ, a business entrepreneur, and an avid MMA promoter. Already one of the richest combatants in history, he is also shaping up to be Hollywood’s highest-earning debutant. The Irishman is also a very recent political aspirant. As such, the 22-6 double-division fighter is a lot of things. However, one thing he is not – is currently fighting. After some 29 to 30 months on the shelf, the Dubliner last saw action at UFC 264.

‘The Notorious‘ recently announced a supposed return against expectant rival Michael Chandler for June 29, in International Fight Week. The duo has served as opposing judges for TUF: Season 31, which concurrently surmounted to be one of the best face-offs of the 2023 season. However, that possibility has since been scrapped.

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Here’s what the Dubliner recently voiced to his fans in a recent Q&A session on his IG stories:

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[On when his next fight is going to be] Still holding hope for June 29th. Lack of action on it however is now causing lack of enthusiasm...I need a decision soon. I am the most tested athlete under this new regime. Yet no date to fight...
Conor McGregor via his IG Stories (@thenotoriousmma)

Taskmaster Dana White recently had a chance to speak about McGregor’s slated return. However, he told the assembled scrum at UFC 298 post-event that money complicates things; hinting that contractually McGregor substantially doesn’t need to rehash anything. Even speaking to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, he had said the same. Nudging a possible September date for McGregor, he made a case for a substantial camp in place for his return.

Conor McGregor claims to be under the DFSI regime
Conor McGregor claims to be under the DFSI regime (Source: Instagram. @thenotoriousmma)

However, Chandler called out the Irish foe in a full WWE-esque promo at Anaheim, in the fallout of UFC 298. Speaking to The MMA Hour (for MMAFighting on SBN) he reaffirmed on too many assurances about the fight happening, at whatever stipulated weight and date. There might be hope just yet.

Conor McGregor under new drug testing regime: A brief look back

UFC’s separation from USADA had inserted in-absentia superstar Conor McGregor in the mix. USADA CEO, Travis Tygart, stated that a prime factor for the separation. They hinted at philosophical differences, with UFC opting for some leniency to get McGregor to return quickly. Later, even Health Performance VP Jeff Novitzky/UFC CBO and head litigator Hunter Campbell chided such claims.

Conor McGregor testing pool history
Conor McGregor testing pool history (Source: Twitter)

Recently, McGregor has claimed to be the highest-tested athlete under the new regime, Drug-Free Sport International (DFSI). Let’s take a look back at such claims.

Partnered since 2015 administering drug tests, USADA released an official listing in 2019. The highest-tested athlete did happen to be McGregor. The top prospects included –

Under USADA stipulation UFC had major revisions. Primely – the adoption of the UFC prohibited list, including:

  • Clomiphene: 0.1 ng/mL/GW-1516 (GW-501516) metabolites: 0.1 ng/mL
  • Zeranol/Zilpaterol: 1 ng/mL
  • Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs): 0.1 ng/mL2; and others

In the 11th hour of the split, McGregor reported on submitting samples to USADA officials on his yacht. Even then, he submitted 3 samples of blood and urine each to the testing pool, with a separation of an hour.

While Drug-Free Sports International (DFSI) is the prime collection pool, the Sports Medicine and Research Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Salt Lake, City, Utah attributes to the sample analysis.

McGregor is among 61 athletes to pop up on UFC’s new anti-doping database, but one of only two to register for the no-notice sample collections. So there might be some truth to the practice after all.

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