Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC’s ‘Weird’ handling of the megastar’s anticipated return

Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC's 'weird' handling of megastar's anticipated returnNot even Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh knows why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book his…

Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC's 'weird' handling of megastar's anticipated return

Not even Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh knows why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book his return to the Octagon.

McGregor has been sidelined ever since suffering a leg injury in the UFC 264 main event in July 2021. Last year, the former two-division champion began hyping up his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history” — something that has been rumored for UFC 296 last December, UFC 300 on April 13, and most recently, June 29 when the promotion wraps up International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

Conor McGregor

During his appearance on The MMA Hour alongside Alta business partner Rich Chou, Kavanagh was inevitably asked for his take on the situation with Conor McGregor and why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book a fight with MMA’s biggest name.

As it turns out, Kavanaugh is just as clueless as the rest of us.

“I won’t pretend to know the politics and what’s going on with legal stuff in the background,” Kavanaugh said. “All I know is it seems odd that we’re not getting [any news]. Like I said, I really am speaking from a position of ignorance because I actually try to purposefully avoid all of that.

“[McGregor’s manager] Audie [Attar] and the team, they do all that, they go back and forth with Hunter [Campbell] and the UFC team. But yeah, it’s weird to me for someone to be the star he is and not get more opportunities” (h/t MMA Fighting).

UFC Fans can get their Conor mcGregor fix on March 21

Conor McGregor is the highest-grossing athlete in UFC history, accounting for eight of the 10 biggest pay-per-view buyrates of all time. He has played a pivotal role in the promotion’s continued growth and mainstream appeal, which will undoubtedly come in handy when the UFC heads back to the negotiating table as their broadcast deal with ESPN is set to expire at the end of 2025.

‘Mystic Mac’ is also set to make his feature film debut this week (March 21) when Amazon Prime Video releases its remake of the 1989 action classic Road House. Taking over the role originally played by the late Patrick Swayze, Road House stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys.

McGregor plays Knox, one of the film’s antagonists.

Conor McGregor

“Look, I’m going to meet him either this evening or certainly tomorrow for the movie, and trust me, that’s why I half-jokingly say to journalists, ‘You know as much as me,’” Kavanagh said. “They all think, ‘Go on, give me the inside scoop.’ I’m seeing the same clips pop up that you guys do.

“Conor’s traveling so much and my head’s down so much with what’s happening day to day, I’m not really every day on to Conor, ‘Hey, what? I’ve seen an interview.’ He’ll come to me when the fight’s announced, but I will be asking him.”

Despite Conor McGregor and John Kavanagh’s insistence that they are both ready, UFC CEO Dana White has continued to place the blame on his cash cow, claiming that McGregor’s immense wealth is the root of his delayed absence.

McGregor disputed that claim during an appearance at the Road House premiere earlier this month, stating that his return is being “pushed back” by the UFC and that it is beginning to affect his motivation.

UFC star Sean Strickland admits to feeling ‘mentally unwell’ regularly: ‘I feel like I’m a danger to people’

UFC star Sean Strickland admits to feeling 'mentally unwell' every day: 'I feel like I'm a danger to people'Ex-UFC middleweight world champion Sean Strickland continues to struggle with his mental health. Over the last two years, ‘Tarzan’…

UFC star Sean Strickland admits to feeling 'mentally unwell' every day: 'I feel like I'm a danger to people'

Ex-UFC middleweight world champion Sean Strickland continues to struggle with his mental health.

Over the last two years, ‘Tarzan’ has grown a cult following among fight fans for his energetic hot takes that range from mildly humorous to downright vile. Still, those who tend to disagree with his more extreme views tend to appreciate the fact that he’s essentially an open book — willing to say whatever is on his mind and far from shy when it comes to discussing his troubled youth.

Sean Strickland

But behind all of the homophobic and politically charged posts is a UFC star who is clearly struggling with his own mental health on a daily basis.

Sean Strickland

Recently, Strickland took to Instagram where he admitted to feeling “mentally unwell” despite amassing fame, fortune, and the highest level of success when it comes to punching other people in the face for a living.

“I’m always fighting the demons, sometimes I win, sometimes I lose,” Strickland wrote in the original video’s caption. “I lost last week. Anyways I understand a lot of my fans are very similar to me.. Just wanted to share this and remind you you’re not alone ?? and… Don’t be a P lol!”

Sean Strickland feels like he is ‘A danger to people’

“All week I’ve been f*cked up, dude,” Strickland said. “I’ve been on the Twitter saying crazy sh*t, just f*cking spiraling. I woke up and I told my girl that I feel like I’m a danger to people. I don’t feel like I should be out in the world. I have everything — I’m rich, famous, like I have everything I ever f*cking wanted and I’m still mentally unwell and I get in these mindsets where I want to burn everything down in the world.

“I want to have nothing so I can just f*cking lose it and take out everything on people. I think that you guys, in a weird way, are my family. I’ve shared some sh*t with you guys and you’ve shared some sh*t with me. I feel more connected with my fans than I think most people feel just because we’ve gone through a lot together and I have everything I want, but I still struggle.

“My memory is so short that when I get past the week I think, ‘Man, that was a really rough time in my life.’ But when I really think about it, this happens multiple times per month every month. And I don’t know why I’m telling you guys this. I’ve just been going through some sh*t. I’ll be fine. I’m gonna go train right now and try to hurt all my friends and all the demons will go away. I just want you guys to know that I have everything I want in the world and I still struggle. So whatever you guys are going through, I hope you feel better. I f*cking wish you all the best.”

Whether you love him, hate him, or find yourself somewhere in between, you can’t help, but appreciate Strickland’s willingness to put himself out there for the world to see.

If only we could get him to cut down on the gay bashing

Sean Strickland

Joanna Jedrzejczyk confirms plans to return before UFC 299 card: ‘I was trying to force manager to let me go in’

Joanna Jedrzejczyk confirms plans to fight before UFC 299 I was forcing my manager to let me go inFormer undisputed strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has revealed that although she has completely closed the door on a potential…

Joanna Jedrzejczyk confirms plans to fight before UFC 299 I was forcing my manager to let me go in

Former undisputed strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has revealed that although she has completely closed the door on a potential return to the UFC following her induction to the Hall of Fame earlier this month – she was weighing up the prospect of a retirement-ending return, up until UFC 299 in Miami, Florida.

Jedrzejczyk, a former undisputed strawweight champion under the banner of the Dana White-led promotion, is set to be the latest fighter to receive their induction into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame later this summer – with the organization honoring the Polish veteran during the broadcast of UFC 299 earlier this month.

A dominant former strawweight queen, has been sidelined since she co-headlined UFC 274 back in 2022, suffering a stunning second round spinning back-fist KO loss to incoming UFC 300 star, Zhang Weili in the pair’s title-eliminator rematch in Singapore.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk weighs up UFC comeback I want to be champion one more time
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And calling time on her illustrious mixed martial arts career in the immediate aftermath of her knockout loss to the Chinese sensation, Jedrzejczyk has weighed up the prospect of a return to the Octagon – most notably at the beginning of last year, before lingering injuries prevented the Muay Thai ace’s comeback to the sport.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk shuts door on UFC comeback

Commenting on her heralded induction in the promotion’s Hall of Fame earlier this month ahead of a summer ceremony, Jedrzejczyk has revealed she was campaigning for a comeback to the Octagon – as recently as prior to UFC 299 in ‘The Sunshine State’.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk UFC 275 Jeff Bottari Zuffa LLC 2

“I have to be honest with you, yes [I considered ending my retirement],” Joanna Jedrzejczyk told MMA Fighting. “Even a few days before the last show in Miami, I was like trying to force my manager to let me go in. But my family, some of my fans and friends, they don’t want me to do this anymore. I’m like in between, but I’m not going to fight in the UFC ever again.”

“Honestly, the first eight months after I retired were the most difficult months in my life probably,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk explained. “Because I was thinking everyday, I was even calling and texting Dana (White), Hunter (Campbell), my manager, Dan Lambert, my family that I was going to come back.” 

As recently as earlier this year, Jedrzejczyk revealed she still had aspirations to mint herself as a strawweight champion one final time.

Joanna UFC 299
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

A dominant former strawweight gold holder, Jedrzejczyk with a 2015 knockout win over Carla Esparza, before racking up consecutive successful title defense wins over Jessica Penne, Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Jessica Andrade.

Would you have liked to see Joanna Jedrzejczyk make one final Octagon walk?

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg in UFC 301 title fight in Brazil

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg at UFC 301Set to make his homecoming in May at UFC 301, undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja has opened as an…

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg at UFC 301

Set to make his homecoming in May at UFC 301, undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja has opened as an impressive betting favorite to defeat surging division contender, Steve Erceg in the pair’s title offing in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

Pantoja, the current undisputed flyweight champion, has been sidelined since last December, landing an impressive decision win over recent UFC Mexico City headliner, Brandon Royval in the duo’s championship rematch.

Pantoja title UFC 290

As for Erceg, the three-fight promotional veteran cracked the flyweight top ten at the beginning of the month, landing a blistering knockout win over Matt Schnell – which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, and subsequently, he is first title siege.

Alexandre Pantoja opens as favorite to beat Steve Erceg

And with betting lines officially on offer for UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja is currently riding an impressive -258 betting favorite line over the +210 betting underdog, Steve Erceg ahead of their title showdown at the Jeunesse Arena. 

A host of betting sites and markets are already offering odds on Pantoja’s title fight return to his native Brazil against Erceg, and punters can also play their favorite slot games and other betting games – which includes the chance to play a Big Bamboo Demo game whilst punting on May’s return to South America for the UFC. 

Striking championship spoils back in July of last year during International Fight Week, Pantoja, the current number ten ranked pound-for-pound ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion – did so with a third career win over former two-time champion, Brandon Moreno.

Extending his impressive winning spree to five straight fights with his title defense win over Royval back in December, Pantoja turned in prior submission wins over Alex Perez, and Royval before that – to go with a decision success against the highly-touted Angolan-born contender, Manel Kape. 

Alexandre Pantoja set to fight Steve Erceg in title clash at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports

Improving to 12-1 as a professional with his knockout win over Schnell, Western Australia prospect, Erceg had landed a pair of victories against both David Dvorak and Alessandro Costa in his first two outings under the banner of the UFC – making his debut just last summer in June. 

Fighting for gold in May, Erceg’s involvement at UFC 301 will come as a swift title charge for the Perth-born contender, who will be just eleven months deep into his tenure with the promotion by the time he faces Pantoja later this year in Brazil. 

Along with Pantoja’s championship fight against Erceg at UFC 301, over the weekend, reports confirmed that former undisputed featherweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo would be snapping his almost two-year retirement from the sport in a bantamweight fight against Jonathan Martinez.

Jose Aldo snaps retirement set to fight at UFC 301 against Jonathan Martinez in Brazil
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Aldo, a fan-favorite striker and the promotion’s inaugural featherweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to surging number one ranked bantamweight contender, Merab Dvalishvili – snapping a three-fight winning spree against Rob Font, Pedro Munhoz, and a decision win over most recent title challenger, Marlon Vera – who challenged for gold just earlier this month at UFC 299 against the incumbent, Sean O’Malley. 

Who wins at UFC 301 in May: Alexandre Pantoja or Steve Erceg?

UFC legend Mark Coleman returns to the gym less than a week after nearly dying in devastating house fire

UFC legend Mark Coleman returns to the gym less than a week after nearly dying in devastating house fireUFC legend Mark Coleman is already back in the gym after nearly losing his life in a devastating house…

UFC legend Mark Coleman returns to the gym less than a week after nearly dying in devastating house fire

UFC legend Mark Coleman is already back in the gym after nearly losing his life in a devastating house fire.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 12, Coleman was awakened by his dog only to discover that his childhood home was engulfed in flames. He quickly lept into action, carrying both of his parents to safety before racing back into the house to try and find his beloved pet. Covered in soot and barely able to breathe, Coleman was airlifted to a hospital where he remained unconscious until two days later.

Mark Coleman

Once awake and able to communicate, Coleman recounted the terrifying details while embracing his daughters, Morgan and Kenzie in an emotional video clip that quickly went viral.

‘The Hammer’ was released from the hospital last week only to be readmitted an hour later where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Fortunately, things are looking up for the two-time UFC Hall of Famer, who has already returned to Matt Brown’s gym in Columbus, Ohio on Monday where he trains and coaches alongside ‘The Immortal.’

Mark Coleman and Matt Brown

“I am healing up very well,” Coleman wrote on Instagram. “My lungs are sore. My eyes are burnt but I’m very much alive and well. I feel so blessed it’s in my higher powers hands. He wants me to move forward today and I am. I’m overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received, if I had a wish it would be that I could meet each and every one of you to give you a big hug and thank you in person.

“Everybody check in on your loved ones life is good life is what you make it. Everything starts with a thought keep the negative thoughts out of your head, love you all so much.”

Matt Brown shares video of Mark Coleman back at the gym

Matt Brown also shared a video of Mark Coleman back inside his Immortal Martial Arts Center on social media.

In a follow-up message, Coleman encouraged everyone to make the most of every day they have, knowing all too well that seeing another sunrise is never guaranteed.

“I’m glad I’m still here with you all. We have more things to do,” Coleman said. “Tomorrow is not promised. Live in the moment and find peace today.”

Video – UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira gets knocked out by 140-pound rapper Lil Tjay

Video - UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira gets knocked out by 140-pound rapper Lil TjayAlex Pereira hit the mat after getting clocked by American hip-hop artist and songwriter Lil Tjay during a recent…

Video - UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira gets knocked out by 140-pound rapper Lil Tjay

Alex Pereira hit the mat after getting clocked by American hip-hop artist and songwriter Lil Tjay during a recent sparring session.

Having a little fun with the 22-year-old rapper before his highly anticipated return to the Octagon next month, ‘Poatan’ caught a solid right hand on the chin that immediately knocked him to the ground. Pereira appeared to be completely out before coming to and looking confused about what happened.

Lil Tjay — real name Tione Jayden Merritt — rose to prominence in 2017 with the song ‘Resume’ followed by the release of his breakthrough song ‘Brothers’ which led to a record deal with Columbia Records. In June 2022, he was shot seven times during an armed robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. Merritt was flown to Hackensack Emergency Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

Two months later, he released his single ‘Beat the Odds,’ which detailed his near-fatal experience and his road to recovery.

Lil Tjay

Alex Pereira set to headline the biggest event in UFC history

On Saturday, April 13, Alex Pereira will put his light heavyweight championship on the line for the first time against former titleholder Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 main event. ‘Poatan’ claimed the title via a second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in November, but only after ‘Sweet Dreams’ vacated the belt due to an Achilles injury he sustained over the summer.

Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill

Pereira and Hill go into the contest with identical 6-1 records under the UFC banner. Alex Pereira currently sits as a moderate favorite at -135 on DraftKings while Hill is a slight underdog at +114.

Check out the official trailer for UFC 300: