UFC martial artist Conor McGregor has announced that he has given his life to Christ.

The lightweight champion is set to return to the sport after an 18-month suspension for failing to appear for multiple drug tests.

He now says he has been “on a spiritual journey” and is ready to return to competition with a new outlook.

“I am not here by chance. There is a higher power—God—that dictates my journey and all of our journeys,” McGregor told the press at a pre-fight conference. “I live my life by God’s word... I’ve engaged on a spiritual journey, and I’m saved. I am healed.”

McGregor’s recent years have not been without controversy. In July, he was denied a civil appeal against a sexual assault claim. Judges ordered him to pay £206,000 plus legal costs to Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel room in 2018.

Ms. Hand said the appeal process had “retraumatized” her.

“Being forced to relive what happened has had a huge impact on me,” she said. “To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please, don’t be silenced.”

McGregor now claims he has turned his life around after taking time to reflect “inward.”

Dave Feldman, founder of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, said McGregor has made “the kind of changes he had to make.”

“A lot of people in the world need to make changes in their lives and don’t because they don’t have the guts to… they don’t have the fortitude to,” said Feldman. “I want to take this time to tip my hat and commend Conor... It’s not easy.”

In January, McGregor attended a pre-inauguration ball held by the conservative Christian organization Turning Point USA.