McGregor plans return to the Octagon early in 2023

McGregor set to return, but will he do any good?

Conor McGregor intends to make his UFC return in ‘the first half of 2023’, despite Dana White’s recent admission that he does not currently participate in the USADA testing pool.

If you want to bet on the UFC even before McGregor returns check out some of out best UFC betting sites.

McGregor has not been tested in over a year. He must be available for testing for six months before he is eligible to compete again.

His timeline would not match the UFC president’s if he returned in April. This is, on paper, the earliest he could return to the testing pool if he were to be reinstated immediately.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on the UFC

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES

Bet now

To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Conor McGregor has gained weight and said he would like to come back in early 2023.

The Irishman on Instagram Live said that he would be back soon and that he hoped to. That’s what I want to be in 2023. Probably in the first quarter.

He is filming a remake of the classic Road House in the Dominican Republic with Jake Gyllenhaal.

Since suffering a broken leg in his second consecutive loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, July 2021, the former champion UFC two-weight has not competed in the Octagon.

The injury was so severe, UFC boss Dana White stated that he didn’t expect the Irishman would return to competition until 2022. It will not happen in 2022 but it looks like it’s full steam ahead for McGregor when we enter 2023. What are your thoughts on Connor jumping back in the Octagon? There are some other fights upcoming, definitely check out the best UFC odds for upcoming fights.

White said McGregor has suffered from “ankle issues for the last couple years” and has “chronic arthritis in his ankles.” So, this seems more like a possible money grab before retiring as McGregor from his last few years of action seems on the down side of his career.

McGregor is the only fighter in the entire UFC roster who is yet to be tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for the entire year. Maybe that will be an issue maybe it won’t. Hopefully he is made to wait the six months like everyone else is before he returns, but with the money McGregor brings in I wouldn’t be surprised if the rules are bent for him.

McGregor, currently ranked No. 13 at lightweight, would need to return to the USADA testing pool for six months before he can compete.

USADA told TSN, though, that “the UFC may grant an exemption to the six-month written notice rule in exceptional circumstances.” The money that McGregor can generate could fall under those special circumstances I’m sure.