Conor McGregor has demanded that he be given a new date for his UFC return after returning yet another clean drugs test.

The Irishman has been out of action for the best part of three years, but was due to return at UFC 303 in June. However, a broken toe ruled him out of that fight and now his planned opponent Michael Chandler has been matched up for UFC 309 in New York.

McGregor is still keen to fight Chandler, who is now facing former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of the Madison Square Garden showcase. And, he has admitted that his next fight is more likely to take place next year.

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Conor McGregor demands UFC return after another clean test

Since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in their 2021 trilogy bout, Conor McGregor has been angling for a return to the octagon. However, persistent issues including a broken toe on his other foot have cost him a number of potential dates.

For a solid period he was removed from the UFC’s old USADA drug testing pool, but has since been entered into the Drug Free Sport International effort. Now, he is the most tested athlete on their roster, sharing another negative result in a recently deleted post on social media.

The Irishman shared a screenshot of an email from DFSI showing his test result, with the caption reading: “Most tested athlete on the UFC roster x2. I deserve my fight date! #CleanAthlete.”

The email, headlined ‘UFC sample result’, read: “Dear Conor McGregor. We are pleased to inform you that sample number E004244, that you provided on 13 September 2024, returned a NEGATIVE result from the lab. Thank you for your contribution to supporting a clean UFC.”

Conor McGregor insists he will return to the octagon in 2025

For the last few years, McGregor has been better known for his activities outside of the cage than in it. This was no different over the weekend as he took in some heavyweight boxing at Wembley Stadium as Daniel Dubois viciously knocked out Anthony Joshua in front of a reported 98,000+ crowd.

He was ringside watching, and went viral for his reaction to the four big knockdowns that underdog Dubois landed. But he also made headlines during an interview on the broadcast with Ariel Helwani where he detailed plans for his return to the octagon.

“It will be 2025,” he replied when asked when he will make his comeback. “We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled has been matched, it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on. My job is to go to the gym and be in shape. Whenever it is and wherever it is, I will be 100 per cent ready.”

He is keen to keep Chandler as his opponent, despite the booking of his fight with Oliveira. Asked who his next opponent will be, he replied: “Who knows, it does not matter. Whoever, let’s see. I like it to be Chandler. I wish him well and see where it goes.”

Dana White’s positive update about Conor McGregor’s comeback

The man who will mastermind McGregor’s return to the UFC will be CEO Dana White. The supremo was in Dublin last week to promote Callum Walsh’s big homecoming fight at the 3Arena, and held a Q&A with fans and media where he detailed the latest on the Irishman’s comeback.

“It’s going to determine when Conor comes back who the opponent is,” White explained. “Whenever Conor is ready and he comes back.

“He hit me up last night when he heard that I was here and he’s in New York right now and he is training.”

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