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Conor McGregor hit with 18-month ban after breaching UFC anti-doping policy

The UFC's biggest star has not fought since 2021.

Conor McGregor was slapped with an 18-month ban after violating UFC's Anti-Doping policy, it has been confirmed. But the Dublin can return to action next year.

McGregor, who has not fought since 2021 is said to have missed three biological sample collections in a 12-month period, which was in breach of the UFC's Anti-Doping policy.

ESPN are reporting that McGregor accepted an 18-month period of ineligibility. The ban came into effect on September 20, 2024 and concludes on March 20, 2026.

The Dubliner has stated that he would like to fight at the UFC's White House card next summer, and his ban end date now makes that possible.

McGregor has not fought in the UFC since July 2021, when he suffered a horror leg break against Dustin Poirier and was due to return in June 2024 against Michael Chandler before withdrawing through injury.

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McGregor has spent much of 2025 attempting to run for Irish Presidency but failed to get on the Presidential ballot. He also saw his recent appeal fail after being found liable of the assault of Nikita Hand.

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