McGregor teases UFC return, says 'ball rolling' with USADA
Warning: Story contains coarse language
It appears Conor McGregor may finally be nearing his comeback fight in the UFC.
McGregor indicated Wednesday in an Instagram post that he's begun the process of re-entering the USADA drug-testing pool, the final hurdle in being eligible to compete again. The post also included photos of McGregor sparring.
"Submitted my stuff to (UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff) Novitzky," McGregor wrote. "Ball rolling."
The former two-division champion - and the biggest star in MMA history - has been linked to a matchup against lightweight contender Michael Chandler since February, when it was announced McGregor and Chandler would serve as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 31."
But McGregor has delayed the matchup by not rejoining the testing pool.
"See you soon, you little light work b---h," McGregor wrote.
Under the UFC's anti-doping policy, the Irishman must be subject to drug testing for six months and submit two negative tests before being allowed to fight.
However, the UFC may exempt fighters from the six-month rule under "exceptional circumstances" or when the rule "would be manifestly unfair to an athlete."
Chandler said Wednesday on "The MMA Hour" that he now expects to face McGregor at the tentpole UFC 300 pay-per-view event, which is projected to take place in April.
McGregor hasn't stepped into the Octagon since breaking his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.