Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has been banned for 18 months for anti-doping rule violations.
The former UFC champion missed three test appointments last year without correctly registering his whereabouts. The ban began retroactively on September 20, 2024 and ends on March 20, 2026.
The UFC star had recently speculated on a comeback at a gala announced by Donald Trump on June 14, 2026. According to the UFC’s Anti-Doping Program (CSAD), McGregor fully cooperated and presented medical reasons. The originally planned two-year ban was therefore reduced by six months.
McGregor is one of the biggest stars in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in mixed martial arts, where he held several titles. In recent years, however, he has not been able to return to old times. He lost three of the last four fights and fought his last fight to date in 2021.
Recently, the 37-year-old has also been in the headlines outside of sport. In Ireland he lost an appeal in a civil case over rape allegations and has to pay the plaintiff around 248,000 euros. The Irishman denies the allegations.