Is Conor McGregor on the updated USADA list for 2023 Q1? Find out who's the most-tested this year

With Conor McGregor expected to return to the octagon later this year, fans have been eagerly awaiting the Irishman to re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool and set his return in motion.

According to the USADA website, 'The Notorious' has yet to provide a sample in the first quarter (Q1) meaning he is currently not eligible to compete in the octagon. Whilst the news may be frustrating for some fans, it's important to highlight that his future opponent, Michael Chandler, has also not provided any samples so far this year.

With UFC athletes required to have been entered into the testing pool and provide clean samples for at least six months, there is still plenty of time remaining for the lightweight stars to submit samples and confirm their bout.

Topping the list of athletes who have provided the most samples is heavyweight champion Jon Jones. 'Bones' returned to the octagon after a three-year hiatus at UFC 285, where he dominated and submitted Ciryl Gane to win the belt. So far this year, Jones has provided 11 clean samples to USADA.

Elsewhere on the list is former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who has been tested 8 times. In comparison, Leon Edwards, who defeated Usman at UFC 286, has been tested four times. Women's flyweight fighter Montana De La Rosa has provided the most samples (7) across all of the women's divisions, whereas a host of fighters such as Petr Yan, Jessica Andrade, Jiri Prochazka, Amanda Nunes, Omar Nurmagomedov, and Paulo Costa have all been tested six times.

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Chael Sonnen defends Conor McGregor amidst rumours of steroid and PED usage

Conor McGregor last stepped into the octagon in 2021, when he suffered a severe leg break injury in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. The injury required immediate surgery and during McGregor's rehabilitation, the Irishman has bulked up in size and now regularly walks around at well over 170 lbs.

With Conor Mcgregor set to face Michael Chandler later this year, he is yet to enter the USADA testing pool for their fight. This has continued to spark rumors amongst fans that he has been using illegal substances to help aid his recovery.

Chael Sonnen recently weighed in on the situation. In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, 'The American Gangster' claimed that MMA fans and the media often confuse steroids and performance enhancing drugs (PEDs):

"People are so quick to say that Conor is on steroids. And I think what they mean is PEDs. They don't know what he's done, but he's on the Performance Enhancing [Drugs] -- Now, with steroids, it specifically must be an anabolic agent. And I don't think when people look at Conor, they can prove there's an anabolic agent."

Catch Sonnen's comments on Conor McGregor here (3:00):