With the first quarter of the year over, Conor McGregor stands as the most tested UFC fighter under the promotion’s new anti-doping program since January 1st.

The UFC’s eight-year partnership with USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) ended at the beginning of 2024, with the promotion announcing they would instead use Drug Free Sport moving forward.

With the new program well into effect now after completing the first quarter of 2024, there have been some noticeable findings from the provided database.

Conor McGregor’s potential next fight

With the 35-year-old now well and truly back in the testing pool, he and the promotion have begun negotiating his return fight, according to McGregor.

McGregor and Michael Chandler coached on the last season of The Ultimate Fighter and the initial plan was for them to fight each other at the end of the season, but the fight never came to fruition.

‘The Notorious’ recently announced his comeback has been given the go-ahead to take place this summer, with Chandler also confirming that he has been given confirmation from the promotion.

Despite that, the superstar’s return date still hasn’t been announced, although it has been rumored it’ll take place on International Fight Week scheduled for the end of June, which fits into both lightweights claiming it’s been confirmed for the summer.

Conor McGregor has submitted 5 tests so far this year

The UFC’s relationship with USADA seemingly broke down because of their disagreements regarding Conor McGregor after the Irishman withdrew from the testing pool following his leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021.

Under the UFC’s new program, ‘The Notorious’ McGregor has already submitted five tests this year, making him the most tested athlete by two tests, despite not having a return fight confirmed.

Throughout the first quarter of 2024, 639 tests have been performed which is 457 less than USADA did in the same time period through 2023.

Having said that, USADA counted both the total number of samples provided by an athlete and the individual test sessions conducted by an athlete. The new program only counts test sessions completed.

Other notable findings from the first 3 months

Following the promotion’s announcement of Jose Aldo‘s comeback at UFC 301 in May, this sparked discussion online as athletes are supposed to be in the testing pool for six months before they are allowed to compete.

Aldo has now submitted two test sessions ahead of his comeback against Jonathan Martinez next month.

UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, is yet to be tested under the program, with his next fight still having not been announced, although likely contender Belal Muhammad has submitted two sessions. Similarly, Islam Makhachev is also yet to be tested having not fought yet this year.

Although he fought in February at UFC 298 when he lost his belt to Ilia Topuria, former UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovksi has not submitted any test sessions so far in 2024.

Sean Strickland and Mayra Bueno Silva are tied as the second most tested athletes with three test sessions each.