DANA WHITE has hinted Conor McGregor could be granted an EXEMPTION to the UFC's six-month drug testing pool requirements.
MMA's top promotion is eager to have The Notorious return before year's end for a blockbuster showdown with fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler.
But McGregor, 34, missed the deadline to re-enrol in the United States Ant-Doping Agency's testing pool – which he must be in for six months before being eligible to compete.
The Irishman has yet to re-enter the pool, but White is confident the former two-division champion WILL be back in action before year's end.
The 53-year-old told TSN: “He’s not [back in the USADA testing pool].
“100 per cent [there’s a chance Conor McGregor fights this year].”
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The terms of the UFC's agreement with USADA permit them to grant an exemption to the six-month written notice rule in "exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to the athlete."
In 2016, the UFC waived a then four-month testing pool requirement in order for Brock Lesnar to return to the octagon at UFC 200, although that decision blew up in their face when the WWE star failed a drug test.
White, however, has refused to be drawn on the prospect of McGregor being given the same treatment as Lesnar.
He continued: "We’ll see how that plays out.
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"I don’t talk about s**t until s**t happens, you know what I mean?
“To sit here and think hypothetically how a million different things could happen, no idea.
"I’m focusing on what’s happening this Saturday [UFC 290], and then next Saturday.
"UFC 300 isn’t even on my mind right now.
“The Conor thing, who the hell knows how that’s gonna play out?
“Who cares what USADA says? We’ll see what happens when it happens.”
McGregor hasn't set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier two years ago.
The pride of Dublin's absence from the USADA testing pool has fight fans convinced his showdown with Chandler won't take place thus year.
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But Mystic Mac insists he's on course to return before year's end, tweeting this week: "I look forward to my upcoming fight.
"I am well in preparation."
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