Conor McGregor excluded from UFC: when can he return.

According to The Sun: Conor McGregor received an 18-month penalty from UFC for violating anti-doping rules.

The Irishman admitted guilt and accepted the punishment, which he has already started. The date of his return to the ring has also been announced.

Why was Conor McGregor punished in the UFC?

McGregor was penalized for failing to meet the requirements of anti-doping control.

He failed to inform Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) – UFC testers – of his whereabouts THREE times within a year.

All UFC athletes are required to continuously inform about their exact whereabouts so that random tests can be conducted.

It has been confirmed that McGregor missed doping tests on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024.

According to CSAD rules, these violations are classified as 'insufficient information regarding whereabouts', which is typically punished with a 24-month term, unlike the 18-month one that McGregor received.

Why was McGregor's penalty reduced?

In an official statement, UFC pointed to 'mitigating circumstances' that influenced the reduction of McGregor's penalty.

'The former champion fully cooperated with the CSAD investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that, according to CSAD, helped clarify the situation with missed tests.'

It was also noted that at the time of missing the tests, McGregor was recovering from an injury and had no scheduled fights.

When can Conor McGregor return to the UFC?

The 18-month penalty was announced on October 7, 2025.

However, the 'period of unavailability' began on September 20, 2024, the date of his third violation, as he has not participated in fights since then.

This means that McGregor will be able to return to the octagon on March 20, 2026.

Furthermore, he may participate in a major UFC event scheduled for June 14, 2026, near the White House.

McGregor has a good chance of appearing on the Oval Office lawn, as UFC president Dana White is negotiating on this matter.

This return of the Irish fighter could become a significant event for MMA fans, as McGregor has always had a large army of supporters eagerly awaiting his return to the ring. His career is evolving amid the growing attention on the sport, especially after the mentioned events related to his anti-doping violations.