‘I have over 70 clean tests’ – Conor McGregor lashes out at drug-testing agency USADA as UFC comeback in doubt over row
CONOR MCGREGOR has exploded at USADA after the anti-doping agency seemingly scuppered his plans for a swift return to the UFC.
The Notorious has been out of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool for well over a year, an exit he made shortly after suffering a brutal broken leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
McGregor, 34, is currently required to re-enrol in the pool for a minimum of six months and provide two negative tests before he can return to the octagon.
He was, however, hoping to get the same exemption Brock Lesnar was granted in 2016 to make an earlier return – although that was quickly shot down by USADA.
That enraged the Irishman, who tweeted: “This is my issue. I’ve not lied once. Nor have I tested positive. Ever.
“I have over 70 clean tests under this program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying.
“It’s ridiculous. F**k used. You are in The Bin. Over 70 clean tests.
“Never violated once. I will not be scapegoated by this garbage organization.
“You are not the be-all end-all in this equation USADA.”
McGregor’s absence from the pool, coupled with his dramatic body transformation, has led many UFC fighters to speculate he’s used banned substances to recover from his potentially career-threatening injury.
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And last November, he hinted that may have been the case, saying: he’d be “clear” for testing in February.
He tweeted: “I’m clear for testing in February.
“I will complete my two tests per USADA & we are booking a fight.”
Former two-division champion McGregor is set to face three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler in his eagerly-anticipated comeback fight.
The date for their mouthwatering showdown, however, currently hinges on when McGregor re-enters the USADA pool and if he’s given an exemption by the anti-doping agency.
McGregor is hoping the fight will be the first of many, telling Barstool Sports:
“What do I hope for in this world? I hope for 100 fights. I hope for 100 more fights.
“I’m working for consistency. I’ve been having this on, off, on, off nonsense for too long, via fight politics, via injuries, via just life. It does happen.
“It’s God’s plan. It’s all God, so I accept and understand it.
“But I’m excited and hopeful that I can get a nice consecutive run of bouts.
“I’ve got a lot of exciting fights. I’ve got some rivalries. You’ve got guys on the climb, you’ve got guys in other divisions that are supposed to be the best.
“There’s loads of bouts I could have and I’m excited for every single one of them.”