Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has been issued an 18-month suspension after missing three drug tests in a 12-month period, anti-doping authorities said Tuesday.

Irishman McGregor, 37, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight and lightweight champion, has accepted the suspension, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) said in a statement.

CSAD said McGregor, one of UFC’s most bankable fighters, missed three tests on June 13, September 19 and September 20 last year in a breach of anti-doping “whereabouts” protocols.

The agency said McGregor had fully cooperated with its investigation, accepted responsibility and provided information that helped explain why he had missed tests.

“Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasizes that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC anti-doping protocol,” the agency said.

The body reduced McGregor’s punishment from the standard period of two years to 18 months, backdating the suspension’s start date to September 2024.

McGregor will be free to fight again by March 20 next year, potentially leaving him free to fight at a UFC event scheduled to take place on June 14 at the White House next year to coincide with US President Donald Trump’s birthday.

McGregor has repeatedly indicated he hopes to fight on the White House card, although UFC chief executive Dana White said on Saturday that no fighters have yet been signed.

“We have not started negotiating any fights for the White House yet,” White said after an event in Las Vegas. “You can clearly see Conor is very fired up to fight on that card, but nothing is done yet.”

The recent joint announcement by CSI SPORT and FIGHT SPORTS made today, September 5, came as a shock to many. Boxing heavyweights - Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson - will face off against each other in a fight in the Spring of 2026.

While the two boxing legends seem excited for this, and even called each other out for their exhibition show, fans don't seem too thrilled, even if they will end up watching the show at the end.

Mike Tyson is surprised Floyd Mayweather signed on to fight him Mike Tyson says while this fight might have come as a shock to many, he is also surprised that Floyd Mayweather said yes to the fight. Mayweather on the other hand said he has nothing to be afraid of, and he knows this fight will give his fans something big and legendary. "Iron' Mike said "Boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable, and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!" Mayweather also gave his two cents in the matter, saying: ”I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy.

You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.” Both Tyson and Mayweather are legends of boxing, and seem ready for this upcoming fight. Unfortunately, the fans of the sport don't seem too thrilled. Fans react to the upcoming Floyd Mayweather vs. Mike Tyson fight

Boxing fans seem reluctant for this upcoming fight, which does not have a set date yet, as they were pretty disappointed with Mike Tyson's last fight. He last fought and lost against none other than Jake Paul, who is set to face Gervonta Davis next. Many had called the Tyson-Paul fight scripted, and think the upcoming one might be more of the same.

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have reached a deal on a potential exhibition fight in 2026, promoter CSI Sports said on Thursday.

No date or location was given for the bout, but CSI said heavyweight great Tyson and undefeated multi-weight champ Mayweather would meet in “Spring 2026”.

Tyson, 59, built a 50-7 record with 44 knockouts in a career in which he established himself as the most feared heavyweight of his generation.

He last appeared in the ring in a lopsided loss to Youtuber-turned prizefighter Jake Paul last November in Arlington, Texas.

Tyson barely landed a punch in that eight-round bout, which was nevertheless watched by a live crowd of around 70,000 spectators with an estimated millions more tuning in around the world.

Former world champion Mayweather, 48, retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 bouts as he won world titles in five weight classes.

But he has continued to appear in exhibitions, including a victory over John Gotti III in Mexico in August 2024.

“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather I thought, ‘No way this happens,'” Tyson said in a statement released by CSI.

“But Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets.”