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Why can’t the biggest star in the UFC get a fight booked?
Make no mistake, Conor McGregor wants to return to action. His last appearance in July 2021 resulted in a horrific broken leg and loss to Dustin Poirier, and the Irish athlete is ready to move forward. He’s repeatedly called to get booked, yet his return keeps getting pushed back according to UFC CEO Dana White. It’s especially confusing when UFC 300 still needs a main event, and the options are dwindling.
In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, White elaborated further on McGregor’s absence and inability to book a return bout. In short, White laid the delay at McGregor’s feet and blamed his injury recovery and incredible personal wealth.
Dana White on why Conor McGregor doesn’t have a fight booked yet
– Lists Conor’s injury as one of the reasons why the layoff has taken so long. Cites Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman layoffs as examples.
– Says Conor doesn’t need the money, and says “it’s a different dynamic… pic.twitter.com/lRH4O6A4ZT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 14, 2024
“First of all, he is coming back from one of the nastiest injuries you can come back from. How long was Anderson Silva out? How long was Chris Weidman out when he did it? The guys who break that bone … that’s an issue right there, number one. Number two: Conor McGregor doesn’t need the f—king money. When you don’t need the money, it’s not as easy. I mean, Khabib! Khabib doesn’t need the money, and Khabib retired.”
When asked about McGregor’s current fitness and training, White continued “I know he’s training; I don’t know what level of training he’s doing. I don’t know what level of kicking he’s doing right now. I don’t know any of that stuff … I need to know the guys in a full camp and he’s ready to go. Conor McGregor has a movie coming out, businesses he’s built — it’s a completely different dynamic when you’re dealing with a guy that has this kind of money.”
To answer White’s questions above, Silva returned to action just 14 months after breaking his leg (failing a drug test in the process), while Weidman was out of action for 29 months after suffering nasty complications and multiple surgeries during his recovery. By the time McGregor does fight, his delay will have been the longest.
Furthermore, McGregor has been active in the gym according to his social media posts. Hell, even 18 months ago McGregor was showing off his surgically repaired leg on the heavy bag! Recently, he’s posted some sparring footage, which alongside public demands for a booking, seem to indicate that “Notorious” is ready to fight again.
Conor McGregor is looking sharp
@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/9XF0edweFr
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) February 13, 2024
Any more guesses on the explanation for the delay?
Insomnia
Wow, who could have predicted this shocking development?
After the last two weeks, is anyone eager for more Middleweight main events in the Apex? Why in the world does the UFC highlight 185-pounds so often?!?
For comparison, here’s the entire UFC roster divided by weight class. 612 total fighters per Wikipedia. With 135 athletes between them, HW, LHW, and MW comprise just 22% of the roster, yet occupy nearly 52% of Apex main event slots https://t.co/jhpelS9A29 pic.twitter.com/xEyg0iPR81
— King Typo (@BoxingBusch) February 13, 2024
The last few years of Khamzat Chimaev’s career, summed up in a meme tweet.
Khamzat calling out DDP for UFC 300 then saying he won’t fight during Ramadan pic.twitter.com/Uawhe0Xv5E
— Casual MMA (@casualmmainc) February 13, 2024
The most entertaining part of UFC 298 fight week has been Merab Dvalishvili, and nobody can tell me otherwise.
Always watching how @HenryCejudo trains. Took his advice pic.twitter.com/pI7BBcxtIy
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) February 11, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s ability to not just deflect but also counter powerful shots opposite Josh Emmett via his shoulder roll was very impressive.
Ilia Topuria properly using the Shoulder Roll in MMA #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/Ve1fgmT61e
— Jam (@Iswhatis1) February 12, 2024
“I want to outlive my children. Of course. 100%” is my favorite.
There’s a Tito Ortiz Ultimate Quotes Mug on Etsy https://t.co/INbu76xRg2 pic.twitter.com/zKAfXMYAGv
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) February 12, 2024
Terrance McKinney vs. an unranked Lightweight whose fights I don’t really remember … sounds like a first-round finish?
Terrance McKinney will fight Esteban Ribovics at #UFC event on May 11th. (first rep. @gastonreyno) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/WpUOT0fHDh
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) February 12, 2024
No respect for papa Volk.
?? Volkanovski’s daughter asks him, “What if a robber breaks into our house, and what if he is Islam Makhachev?” pic.twitter.com/k7PvsjsMmi
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) February 12, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Best time to spin is with the opponent stuck along the fence!
K-1 World GP finalist Issei Ishii with a filthy spinning back kick to the bodypic.twitter.com/SUWEVWqEZG
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) February 13, 2024
… the ropes work too!
Ian Garry going from amateur debut in 2017 to UFC debut in 2021 is pretty incredible.
Ian Garry’s first amateur fight in 2017#UFC298 pic.twitter.com/zBy5amj1cB
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) February 13, 2024
Random Land
No, I cannot say that I have.
Midnight Music: Soul, 2011
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.