Conor McGregor questions testing frequency

Conor McGregor used a post on X on May 15 to question how often he has been tested under the UFC’s anti-doping program, saying he had received 11 tests so far in 2026 and calling for more consistent treatment across fighters and jurisdictions. The post came as UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas approached on May 16 and as speculation about McGregor’s return continued. UFC Anti-Doping records available online show McGregor at 11 test sessions in 2026 in the most recent public update. ### Why is McGregor pointing to the number 11? UFC Anti-Doping’s 2026 test history page, last updated on May 8 at 9:00 a.m. PDT, lists Conor McGregor with 11 test sessions this year. The same page shows Bassil Hafez with five test sessions, making McGregor the most-tested fighter in that update. The database says the current program counts test sessions rather than total samples, a change from the earlier USADA-administered system. (ufcantidoping.com) McGregor’s complaint centered on frequency and consistency, according to reports that described his X post. Those reports said he argued that if one athlete is being tested at that rate, similar standards should apply across the roster rather than unevenly by location or circumstance. (ufcantidoping.com) ### What anti-doping system is UFC using now? UFC ended its partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Jan. 1, 2024, and shifted to a program administered by Combat Sports Anti-Doping, or CSAD, with collections handled by Drug Free Sport International. UFC Anti-Doping’s public materials say CSAD independently administers the year-round program and that samples are analyzed at the WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City. (lowkickmma.com) The UFC Anti-Doping database says the current system reports test sessions because that is “a more accurate reflection” of testing volume on an athlete. That means year-to-year comparisons with older USADA-era totals are not exact like-for-like comparisons. ### Why does McGregor’s testing record draw extra attention? McGregor has not fought in the UFC since July 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 after suffering a broken leg. (ufc.com) His name still draws outsized attention because any movement in his anti-doping status is closely watched by fans and media for signs of a comeback timetable, as recent MMA coverage has noted. (ufcantidoping.com) On Oct. 7, 2025, CSAD announced that McGregor accepted an 18-month period of ineligibility for three whereabouts failures in 2024. The sanction began on Sept. 20, 2024, and concluded on March 20, 2026, according to the UFC Anti-Doping announcement. ### What were those whereabouts failures? (sports.yahoo.com) CSAD said McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections on June 13, Sept. 19 and Sept. 20 of 2024. The agency said UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times so they can be located for unannounced collections. (ufc.com) The Oct. 7, 2025 statement also said CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction by six months after considering McGregor’s cooperation and the circumstances it said contributed to the missed tests. CSAD said McGregor was recovering from injury and was not preparing for an upcoming fight at the time. (ufc.com) ### What comes next? May 16 is the next fixed date around this story, with UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on the schedule during the same news cycle as McGregor’s post. UFC Anti-Doping says its testing statistics are published online, and the most recent public update available as of May 15 was dated May 8. (ufcantidoping.com) (ufc.com)