Conor McGregor has been the most tested UFC athlete of 2026, providing three anti-doping samples already this year as he plots his return to the octagon.
The Irishman hasn't fought since breaking his leg in defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021. He has flirted with a comeback on numerous occasions, notably pulling out of a scheduled 2024 bout with Michael Chandler late on with a toe injury.
McGregor missed three anti-doping tests later that same year and has been serving an 18-month suspension for missing those tests, with that ban set to end later this month.
READ MORE: {{title}}
With that in mind, McGregor will be eligible to fight for the UFC this summer and he seems very keen on doing so. The Dubliner has reportedly been back in training camp for some time now, and has hinted on social media that he has already signed a contract to fight this year.
As for when that fight will take place, reports vaguely suggest sometime in the summer. McGregor had been expected to fight on the 'White House' card in June, but Dana White seemingly ended that speculation when he seemingly suggested that he has other plans for McGregor.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani believes we may see McGregor return a month later in Las Vegas.
"It doesn’t look like it’s gonna be Conor on the White House card,” said Helwani.
"They have an International Fight Week card scheduled for July 11. There’s a greater chance of him fighting on that card than on the White House card. There’s no money to be made from the White House event.”
Most Read
Should McGregor return, it will end his five year exodus from the sport.
Upon his return, the 37-year-old will be looking for his first win since 2020, and just his second MMA victory in a decade.
Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply click here.
