Conor McGregor received’t get an opponent for his UFC return till he’s really able to struggle once more.
That’s in line with UFC CEO Dana White, who addressed a query about both Michael Chandler or Charles Oliveira doubtlessly competing for that struggle after they conflict at UFC 309 in November. Chandler was initially alleged to welcome McGregor again to the octagon however fixed delays and their struggle cancellation at UFC 303 in June finally led to him reserving a rematch towards Oliveira as a substitute.
Now White is staying noncommittal relating to McGregor’s checklist of potential opponents.
“It’s going to [be] decided when Conor comes again, who the opponent is,” White stated throughout a Q&A with followers in Eire on Thursday. “Every time Conor is prepared and he comes again.
“He hit me up final night time when he heard that I used to be right here [in Dublin]. He’s in New York proper now and he’s coaching.”
In different phrases, McGregor’s opponent received’t be decided till his return date is definitely set.
That’s a far cry from the previous 18 months when McGregor bought matched up with Chandler after they agreed to educate The Final Fighter towards one another earlier than organising an eventual struggle.
Sadly points continued to come up that prevented McGregor from competing — together with six months of drug testing required after he dropped out of the UFC’s anti-doping program whereas recovering from a damaged leg suffered in his struggle towards Dustin Poirier again in 2021.
McGregor was scheduled to struggle Chandler in June however the Irish celebrity suffered a damaged pinky toe on his foot that pressured him to drop off UFC 303.
There have been rumors about McGregor doubtlessly returning earlier than the top of the 12 months however White finally revealed that the previous two-division UFC champion wouldn’t come again till someday in 2025.
That led to Chandler deciding to ebook his struggle towards Oliveira in November relatively than persevering with to sit down on the sidelines ready for a showdown with McGregor that will by no means occur.
Now it appears to be like like McGregor has to decide to a date earlier than the UFC units him up with any opponent for his first struggle again in practically 4 years.
