Tag: UFC 302

Voicing his continued frustration amid his continued sidelining from the Octagon, former duel-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor has lashed out at promotional CEO, Dana White once more – urding the leader to finally secure a date for his comeback, in an expected grudge fight with Michael Chandler this summer.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has yet to feature inside the Octagon since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in their 2021 trilogy rubber match.

And appearing as a head coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 early last year, McGregor coached opposite the above-mentioned, Chandler, with the duo expected to fight at the middleweight limit – according to the Dubliner, as soon as International Fight Week at the end of June.

Revealing his plans to fight at a potential UFC 302 card at the end of that month, with a middleweight divisional debut against former lightweight title challenger, Chandler in mind, McGregor has still yet to receive official confirmation of his comeback date, almost six weeks since he announced the apparent timeframe of is return.

Conor McGregor grows increasingly impatient

Growing increasingly frustrated with a lack of movement on his future, McGregor, 35, boldly claimed that no other fighter under the promotion’s banner past or present had been as negatively treated by the promotion during his sidelining from the sport.

And with those frustrations simmering and reaching boiling point – McGregor took to his official Instagram Stories, writing “Get this f*cking date set”, over a video of him flapping-gums with Chandler during taping of TUF 31. 

“Get this f*cking date set.” – Conor McGregor is tired of waiting. pic.twitter.com/caBMrPC8Md

— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) February 6, 2024

Commenting on McGregor’s expected summer return for the first time since the Crumlin striker announced plans for a June fight, the above-mentioned, White quashed that date immediately, before revealing last month that when news of the ex-champion’s comeback is set, the promotion would announce it themselves internally. 

“No,” Dana White replied when asked if Conor McGregor would be fighting in June, while speaking with assembled media after UFC 297. “When Conor’s (McGregor) ready to fight, you know we’ll announce it. That’s what we do.”

DO you expect to see Conor McGregor make his fighting return this year?

UFC superstar Conor McGregor was revealed to have been tested by UFC’s anti-doping agency in the latest update. 

In their first-ever testing update since taking over from USADA, Drug-Free Sport International has so far tested 61 fighters and McGregor is one of them. In fact, McGregor is one of two athletes who have been tested twice. 

Aaron Bronsteter first broke this news via X.

The UFC anti-doping database has released their first-ever update since the end of their partnership with USADA on Dec. 31.

Of the 61 athletes who registered test sessions, two athletes registered more than one session, one of whom is Conor McGregor (*the other is T. Lapilus).

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 22, 2024

The UFC anti-doping database has released their first-ever update since the end of their partnership with USADA on Dec. 31. Of the 61 athletes who registered test sessions, two athletes registered more than one session, one of whom is Conor McGregor (*the other is T. Lapilus). – Aaron Bronsteter

This does point to McGregor returning at some point in the near future, but the issue’s water continues to be murky.

When will Conor McGregor fight again?

On New Year’s Eve, McGregor posted a video to social media which seemed to be the news that everyone was waiting for. The Irishman claimed that he and Michael Chandler’s fight was official and was set for June.

“Ladies and gentlemen, happy New Year to you all,” McGregor began. “I’d like to announce the return date for myself, the notorious Conor McGregor. The greatest comeback of all time, will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week, on June 29^th… And for the opponent, Michael Chandler, and the weight, Mr Chandler, 185 pounds.”

However, during the UFC 297 fight week, White disputed this, claiming that nothing had been made official.

“Uh, no,” White said regarding McGregor’s comeback. “When Conor is ready to fight, you know we’ll announce it. That’s what we’ll do.”

So, it seems that fans will have to continue to wait for a McGregor return which has been dragging on for some time.

When do you think Conor McGregor will return to the UFC?

UFC CEO, Dana White has claimed former two-division Octagon gold holder, Conor McGregor will not be making his return to the Octagon on June 29. – despite an announcement from the Dubliner that the date in question will mark his first fight in combat sports in three years.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 264 back in July 2021, suffering a devastating first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to trilogy rival, Dustin Poirier – fracturing his left tibia and fibula.

And sharing the reality television screens with lightweight contender, Michael Chandler last year with the two serving as head coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31, McGregor provided what appeared to be a massive fighting update at the turn of the year.

Claiming he is set to headline an International Fight Week event in June – likely UFC 302, McGregor revealed he would be fighting one-time title challenger, Chandler – in a middleweight divisional bow for both.

However, in the time since his New Year’s Eve announcement, the promotion, nor White himself have yet to officially stamp the Dubliner’s return to the Octagon.

Dana White denies June comeback for Conor McGregor

And following last night’s UFC 297 event in Toronto, organizational leader, White briefly touched on the 35-year-old’s fighting future, claiming he would not be fighting in June, however, and maintained that when McGregor was “ready” to compete again, the promotion would announce it.

“No,” Dana White replied when asked if Conor McGregor would be fighting in June, while speaking with assembled media after UFC 297. “When Conor’s (McGregor) ready to fight, you know we’ll announce it. That’s what we do.”

Without a victory inside the Octagon since 2020, McGregor’s most recent win came in the form of a stunning 40-second high-kick and strikes TKO win over recent Hall of Fame inductee, Donald Cerrone at the welterweight limit. 

Do you expect Conor McGregor to make his UFC comeback in the summer?