Conor McGregor faces PED allegations ahead of UFC 329 comeback

Irish fighter Conor McGregor is slated to return to the Octagon on July 11 2026 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, where he will face Max Holloway. The bout marks his first fight since a catastrophic leg fracture against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Days before the event, media reports alleged that McGregor used performance‑enhancing drugs during his rehabilitation. McGregor said he was removed from the USADA testing pool, followed his doctors’ orders and “didn’t even know what I was taking,” describing the accusations as “shocking” and emphasizing his priority was “to get back on my feet and play with my children.”

The UFC countered that McGregor has been “tested 19 times over the past two years, including 12 times in 2026, making him the most‑tested athlete,” and found no adverse findings. It also rejected claims that the organization’s split from USADA was linked to McGregor. In the same interview, McGregor revealed his contract includes a second fight scheduled for April 2027, which he called “ridiculous.” The story highlights ongoing scrutiny of drug‑testing protocols and the fighter’s future in MMA and potential boxing match‑ups.