Conor McGregor burst into song as he lashed out at drug testing organisation USADA after they potentially derailed his plans to return this summer.
UFC superstar McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in 2021 but announced this year that his comeback fight will take place against Michael Chandler as part of the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter. A date and venue has yet to be confirmed given the Irishman is not yet enrolled in the USADA drug testing pool.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the organisation's ruling that fighters will be required to be enrolled to the programme for six months before competing in the octagon but it was initially expected that McGregor would try to use a loophole to bring down the time required given his lengthy absence through injury.
McGregor then confirmed he was in touch to try and organise his re-enrolment, but a statement from the organisation suggested he will still face a wait for his comeback outing. In an angry outburst, McGregor posted a voice note of him singing on Twitter, where he said the lyrics: "Oh USADA, oh USADA. You come and you give without taking. But I sent you away oh USADA. You are in the bin."
He later reiterated his stance, tweeting: "USADA is going in the bin." before expanding in now deleted tweets, adding: "This is my issue. I’ve not lied once. Nor have I tested positive. Ever. I have over 70 clean tests under this program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying. It’s ridiculous. F*** USADA. You are in The Bin.
“Over 70 clean tests. Never violated once. I will not be scapegoated by this garbage organisation. You are not the be all end all in this equation USADA." McGregor may now have to wait until September to resume his career, despite TUF filming having concluded.
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Yesterday's statement from USADA appeared to be a concrete view on McGregor's status, which read: "While we meet with all athletes who enter or re-enter the testing pool, we do not currently have a meeting set with Conor and, as of today, we have not received notice of his coming out of retirement to compete.
"The UFC rules are clear that, in addition to two negative tests, an athlete must make themselves available for testing for six months before returning to competition. This is a fair way to ensure an athlete does not use the retirement status to gain an unfair advantage by using prohibited substances during the retirement period, which would enhance their performance unfairly if they ultimately decide to return to competition.
"While the rules permit the UFC to make an exception to the six-month rule in exceptional circumstances, when the strict application of the rule would be manifestly unfair to the athlete, our position, which we have made clear, is that Conor should be in the testing pool for the full six-month period."
