Conor McGregor has sparked excitement among fans with the announcement that he has re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool, signalling a potential return to the octagon in 2026.
In a recent Instagram post, the former two-division UFC champion shared a video and captioned it, “I gave my first blood test, that is what the plaster is on my shoulder. I am ECSTATIC! I’m in SHAPE!”
McGregor, 37, also shared images on his Instagram Stories suggesting he had undergone both blood and urine tests, although the authenticity of these images remains unverified.
Despite McGregor’s public claim, the UFC Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) website does not show him as having completed an official test in 2025, sparking speculation about the timeline for his re-entry into competitive action.
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McGregor has expressed his intentions to fight in the proposed UFC White House card scheduled for July 2026, coinciding with the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations.
Both UFC President Dana White and former President Donald Trump have mentioned the event, which could feature a number of notable fighters, including recently retired Jon Jones.
If McGregor fights next summer, it will be his first bout since UFC 264 in 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in his third fight with Dustin Poirier.
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He was also slated to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 but was forced to withdraw due to a toe injury.
Known as one of the sport’s biggest stars, McGregor has been in the public eye for various reasons, including his role as part-owner and ambassador for the BKFC promotion, the aftermath of a fire at his Black Forge Inn in Dublin, and ongoing legal issues.
Despite these distractions, McGregor’s return to the UFC, should it materialise, is expected to make headlines once again, with fans eagerly anticipating his comeback after a five-year hiatus.