Video: Conor McGregor can’t skirt by USADA’s rules before returning to UFC, can he?

It’s been roughly 19 months since UFC star Conor McGregor competed inside the octagon, but he could finally return in 2023. The only question is under what circumstances.

McGregor, who recently removed himself from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency drug testing pool, tweeted that he’ll be ready to re-enter the program in February and after completing two tests, he will book a fight.

However, not so fast.

In an interview with ESPN, USADA director of communications Averi Walker said “McGregor is not enrolled in our testing pool and would have to be for six months unless an exemption is granted, which we don’t think would be applicable.”

McGregor has been accused by several prominent UFC fighters, including Anthony Smith, of using steroids, and the entire situation raises questions about why McGregor – who appears fully recovered from a broken leg suffered in his most recent loss to Dustin Poirier – was allowed to remove himself from the USADA program in the first place.

What do we think of what’s transpired between McGregor and USADA, and what do we expect to happen moving forward?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia answered that question and more with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. You can watch their discussion in the video above. And don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie