Conor McGregor slips further into obscurity following hefty doping ban

Combat Sports Anti-Doping released a statement on Tuesday revealing that the Irishman had missed three doping tests, but mitigating circumstances resulted in a reduced ban. 

"McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC ADP," read their statement in part. 

"UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times, so they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning. McGregor's missed tests occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, and were each classified as Whereabouts Failures by CSAD under the UFC ADP.

"Although McGregor failed to make himself available for testing on those dates, CSAD noted that he was recovering from an injury and was not preparing for an upcoming fight at the time of the three missed tests. McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD's investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests.

"Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasizes that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP. Taking McGregor's cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months. His period of ineligibility began on September 20, 2024 (the date of his third whereabouts failure) and will conclude on March 20, 2026."

McGregor's last appearancce in the octogon was in July 2021, where he lost to Dustin Poirier via TKO in the opening round.

Since, the former UFC featherweight champion has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A fight against Michael Chandler was cancelled due to injury, he paid damages to rape acuser Nikita Hand and dabbled in politics but ultimately withdrew from the Irish presidential race. 

While still under contract with the UFC, he has been taken off the official roster of fighters.