Dana White: Conor McGregor has taken next step toward UFC return, but still a ways to go

LAS VEGAS – Conor McGregor is inching closer to a UFC return.

According to UFC CEO Dana White, there’s still much to be done before the former double champion to return. However, McGregor recently submitted his paperwork to reenter the USADA drug-testing pool – a roadblock that’s been the path to a comeback for quite some time.

“He is not officially in the USADA pool,” White told reporters including MMA Junkie at a UFC Fight Night 229 pre-fight news conference Saturday. “He submitted the paperwork. Probably by Monday, he’ll be submitted. Again, don’t hold me to that. But the paperwork is submitted next week sometime.”

As for when McGregor, who has not competed since he broke his leg in July 2021, could make his comeback, White declined to speculate until things progress further.

“… I literally have nothing planned with Conor McGregor right now,” White said. “The paperwork is being submitted. We’ll play it by ear, see how things work out. There’s still a lot of things that have to happen as far as fights go. Then we’ll see where he’s going to land.”

“He is not officially in the USADA pool. He submitted the paperwork.”

Dana White says he still has “nothing planned” for Conor McGregor.

Full video: https://t.co/ZUbISHjMT3 pic.twitter.com/5CFuN1PeVN

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 8, 2023

Should he return, USADA policy would mean McGregor would need to pass at least six months of random drug testing before he could compete.

McGregor, 35, recently coached “The Ultimate Fighter 31” opposite Michael Chandler. While it was advertised the two would fight following the conclusion of the show’s airing, the bout has not yet been booked.

Chandler continues to hold out for the super fight, though he told reporters in August he had a “loose timeline” as to when he’d move on.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 229.