Conor McGregor Eligible for UFC Return in 2026

Conor McGregor, the former two-division UFC champion, became eligible to return to competition on March 20, 2026, after completing an 18-month suspension for anti-doping violations. The Irish fighter, known as "The Notorious," had not competed since suffering a leg fracture against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

The suspension stemmed from McGregor missing three drug tests in 2024, on June 13, September 19, and September 20. The first violation occurred the day before he withdrew from a scheduled bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to a toe injury. Initially facing a potential two-year ban, McGregor received the reduced 18-month penalty after accepting responsibility for the whereabouts failures, according to UFC officials.

McGregor's path back to the octagon has faced several setbacks. He expressed interest in fighting on the UFC's upcoming White House card in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2026, but UFC President Dana White selected a lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje to headline the event instead. Chandler, meanwhile, is now set to face Mauricio Ruffy at the same venue, leaving McGregor without an immediate opponent.