Ex-UFC Star Criticizes Conor McGregor’s “Unfair” 18-Month Suspension

The recent controversial 18-month suspension imposed by the UFC on Conor McGregor has drawn significant criticism from a seasoned veteran of the Octagon.

Despite being slated for a return at the highly anticipated UFC White House card next summer, the former champion, Conor McGregor, has received an 18-month retroactive suspension from the promotion.

This ban is a consequence of violating the CSAD anti-doping policy, specifically due to McGregor`s failure on three separate instances to report his location for mandatory random drug testing.

However, the retroactive nature of this suspension has led a former welterweight to argue that McGregor`s potential participation in the high-profile Washington event is fundamentally unjust.

Matt Brown Slams Conor McGregor`s Suspension as Unfair

While McGregor has not publicly commented on the suspension, maintaining a social media hiatus, he reportedly remains determined to compete at the White House event next year.

According to former welterweight contender Matt Brown, the UFC`s new partnership with CSAD, especially after the termination of the USADA agreement, raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding drug testing.

Brown stated on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, “The UFC now controls the doping program. Who`s to say they aren`t quietly allowing certain individuals to dope? It`s entirely possible they`re doing exactly that without disclosure.”

Brown further questioned the situation, asking, “Won`t Conor`s opponents be outraged? He`s aware of the implications. If the UFC is in charge of doping control and a major White House event is planned for next year, what happens if Conor fails a test just a week before? Will they quietly overlook it, saying, `Alright Conor, we can`t reveal anything right now`? What exactly would be their course of action? Will they actually remove Conor from such a high-profile event? It simply doesn`t feel right.”

Matt Brown`s Past Challenge to Conor McGregor for UFC Record

Brown, who officially retired last summer as a top welterweight contender, has historically had a spirited rivalry with former two-division champion McGregor.

He concluded his career with a spectacular knockout victory over Court McGee the previous year, achieving a record of 13 knockouts in Octagon history, tying him with heavyweight star Derrick Lewis.

Following McGregor`s acknowledgment of Brown`s impressive knockout record, Brown controversially offered the Irish superstar an opportunity to break that record by fighting him.