Conor McGregor (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Although Conor McGregor reportedly still hasn’t re-entered USADA’s drug testing program, UFC President Dana White says the controversial star could still compete this year.

McGregor was expected to fight fellow TUF coach, Michael Chandler, sometime in 2023. But, in recent weeks, there’s been extensive speculation was to whether the fight will in fact happen. The former champion has reportedly not re-entered the USADA testing pool, and USADA requires fighters to be tested for six months after they exit and return to the program.

The Irish fighter exited the program while he was recovering from the broken leg he incurred in a 2021 bout with Dustin Poirier.

Ahead of UFC 290, White spoke with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter. When asked if McGregor has re-entered USADA’s testing pool, White reported the fighter has not. When White was asked if there’s a chance McGregor could still fight in 2023, despite his current testing pool status, the UFC President said “100%”.

White went on to say that the promotion will wait to see how things unfold.

“The Conor thing, who the hell knows how that’s going to play out – who cares what USADA says, we’ll see what happens when it happens so I don’t know.”

Dana White provides an update on McGregor vs. Chandler.

McGregor is still yet to re-enter the USADA pool, but is still holding out hope that the fight happens this year. pic.twitter.com/UEVugjEN9H

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 6, 2023

In 2016, Brock Lesnar was granted an exemption from USADA’s six-month, testing window when he returned to the UFC. The former heavyweight champ proceeded to test positive for banned substances after fighting Mark Hunt at UFC 200.