McGregor and Chandler to compete at 170lbs – once McGregor actually spends 6 months in USADA pool

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will coach the upcoming season of TUF reality TV show. This means that as per tradition, the two will also face each other in the octagon.

Ariel Helwani gave us an update on The Ringer MMA Show, saying that they’ll square off at welterweight. Fans and media are definitely skeptical of McGregor’s ability to cut down to 170 pounds. This is due to the physique that he’s built up after his loss at UFC 264.

However, there might be a more pressing problem at hand, since he’s not even eligible to fight.

MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter tweeted USADA’s statement regarding McGregor’s eligibility to compete in UFC. It appears that he hasn’t re-enrolled into the USADA testing pool yet.

According to the statement, McGregor must enroll for at least six months and submit two negative tests. Only then he can compete in the octagon.

“As we’ve confirmed before, as of today, Conor McGregor has not been reenrolled in the USADA testing pool, which he would have to be in for a minimum of six months and have at least two negative tests prior to any competition.”

However, coaches don’t have to be in the pool so he’s good to lead his team in TUF.

“For all the obvious reasons, coaches are not in our testing pool and there is no requirement for him or other coaches to be in the testing pool just to coach.” the statement read.

USADA reiterates that if McGregor and Chandler are to fight each other, the former has to follow the aforementioned procedures.

“If there is eventually a plan for the coaches to fight each other, then he would have to be in the testing pool for at least six months and have two negative tests before any fight.”

This means that if McGregor reenters the testing program today, the earliest date allowing him to fight will be the 5th of August.

However, this may not be that big of a deal as one user pointed out:

“They’ve [the UFC] bypassed USADA protocols a few times previously, notably Brock [Lesnar] at UFC 200 and Jon [Jones] at UFC 232. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if Conor gets special privileges.”