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In a move that’s sure to disappoint fans worldwide, UFC CEO Dana White has officially confirmed that Conor McGregor will not be making his highly anticipated return to the octagon this year. The former two-division champion, who has been sidelined since his horrific leg injury at UFC 264, was initially expected to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303. However, those plans have now been shelved until 2025, leaving the MMA world in a state of suspense.
“We talked. We talked,” White stated during a Contender Series media scrum on Tuesday.
“We didn’t meet up but we talked, and yeah, he wants to fight. So we’ll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won’t fight this year.”
This revelation comes as a stark contrast to McGregor’s previous assertions that his comeback was imminent. “The Notorious” had repeatedly hinted that his return was just around the corner, fueling speculation and excitement among fans. Yet, it appears that a toe injury sustained during his preparation for UFC 303 has thrown a wrench into those plans.
This isn’t the first time McGregor’s return timeline has been a moving target. Over the past two years, he has teased multiple comeback dates, only to have them debunked by White. The uncertainty has left fans and fighters alike in a state of limbo, none more so than Michael Chandler. The former Bellator lightweight champion has been on the sidelines since 2022, patiently waiting for his shot at McGregor—a fight that now seems to be slipping further away.
For Chandler, the delay is a bitter pill to swallow. He was poised to face McGregor in what many anticipated would be one of the biggest events of the year. But now, with McGregor’s return pushed to 2025, Chandler is once again left waiting.
As the MMA world digests this news, one thing is certain: Conor McGregor’s eventual return will be one of the most talked-about events in the sport. Until then, fans will have to wait a little longer to see “The Notorious” back in action.
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