Conor McGregor is the UFC fighter with the most drug tests in 2024
At the end of 2023, the UFC announced it would be finding a different path when it comes to doping rules. One of its biggest stars is still a problem.
After citing a number of differences that both organizations have for the long-term future of the sport, Dana White has made it clear that the UFC is going in a different direction. What does that mean for combat sports and some of its biggest stars?
Conor McGregor causes antidoping issue for UFC
Fight fans will almost certainly recall that at the end of 2023, UFC’s head, Dana White, announced that the UFC and USADA would embark on different paths once the new year began. Indeed, the promotion’s CO confirmed that there were a number of differences in vision between both organizations which led to a stalemate. Chief among those was the issue of ‘false positives’, something the UFC wanted to see removed from the slate. Indeed, it has been a contentious issue in recent times for the promotion and even more so in light of the fact that one of its most recognizable athletes, Conor McGregor, has been at the forefront of the conversation.
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To be clear, the Irishman is currently the most ‘tested’ athlete so far for 2024. With no less than five anti-doping tests since the turn of the year, the 35-year-old has become a focal point of the anti-doping debate. With that in mind, the UFC has sought to agitate for more modern means of testing, however, it must be said that while McGregor’s situation raises an eyebrow, it does pail in comparison to the 13 times that fellow fighter Jon Jones was subjected to testing within the very first quarter of 2023.
This is to say, that while there are valid reasons for concern, it may be that McGregor is actually benefitting from the way in which testing has been applied recently. For starters, it is widely acknowledged that the former UFC champion used a cornucopia of prohibited substances as he attempted to recover from a broken tibia and fibula some two years ago. As for why that is, let’s break it down: Whether you love him or hate him, Conor McGregor is arguably the biggest star that UFC has ever seen. His return to the octagon would be one of the biggest sporting events - period - in recent memory. With that in mind, one can begin to understand why the UFC might want to protect its potential asset. At any rate, there are still some kinks to be ironed out in this one so, as we always say, watch this space.