Dana White announces Conor McGregor has finally made himself available for drug testing in time for UFC 300 return

CONOR MCGREGOR has taken a giant step towards returning to the UFC by finally making moves to re-enter their drug testing pool, Dana White has confirmed.

The Notorious’ comeback fight with Michael Chandler has been delayed by his absence from the USADA testing pool, which he must be in for a minimum of six months before being eligible to compete.

Conor McGregor’s comeback fight with Michael Chandler has been delayed by his absence from the USADA poolTWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMA

INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMAThe Notorious revealed this week that he’s set to re-enter the pool[/caption]

UFC president Dana White has confirmed McGregor has submitted his paperwork to USADAGETTY

McGregor, 35, hinted earlier this week at an imminent return to the pool – which White has revealed could be completed as early as Monday.

The UFC‘s newly-minted CEO said early on Sunday morning: “No, he is not officially in the USADA testing pool. He submitted the paperwork.

“And probably by Monday, he will be submitted.

“Again, don’t hold me to that, but the paperwork is submitted – next week sometime.”

A return at UFC 300 in April could be on the cards for former two-division McGregor should he re-enter the pool next week.

But matching up the Irishman for the historic spring card couldn’t be any further from White’s mind at this moment in time.

He said: “I literally have nothing planned for Conor McGregor right now.

“The paperwork is being submitted; we’ll play it by ear and see how things play out.

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“There are still a lot of things that have to happen as far as fights go, and then we’ll decide where is going to land.”

Former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Chandler has sat patiently on the sidelines waiting for the finalisation of the biggest of his career.

And he fully expects it to headline the UFC’s 300th pay-per-view card, which is expected to land in Las Vegas

“My heart of hearts says the biggest fight we’ve seen in a very long time has to go down on the biggest card that the UFC is going to put together since UFC 200, since UFC 100,” Chandler said during an appearance on The MMA Hour.

“My heart of hearts, my gut says we might be waiting until UFC 300.

“Good thing I’ve got a lot of things to keep my[self] busy.

“And I get an opportunity to train for Conor for a very long time.”

McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier over two years ago.

APConor McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier over two years ago[/caption]