UFC President Dana White and former two-division champion Conor McGregor are engaged in a public battle over McGregor’s potential return to the octagon following a broken toe that derailed his fight against Michael Chandler earlier this summer. White has made it clear that McGregor is unlikely to step back into the cage this year, despite the fighter’s desire to make it happen.
Dana White’s Stance on McGregor’s Return
In a recent media appearance ahead of the season debut of the “Contender Series,” White reiterated his position that McGregor will not be making his long-awaited return to the UFC in the near future. Despite McGregor’s eagerness to fight, White stated, “We talked, and he wants to fight. We’ll figure it out. Not this year. He won’t fight this year.”
McGregor’s Response
McGregor, never one to shy away from voicing his opinions, took to social media to respond to White’s comments. In a post on X, McGregor declared, “Ah Dana, December is the date. Bring the calendar year home with a winning event! Come on now, what’s this? I am off to altitude next month to prepare. December! Tell Dana and UFC we want December! We deserve December!”
White’s Unwavering Stance
Despite McGregor’s insistence on a December return, White has remained steadfast in his position that McGregor will not be fighting this year. When asked about McGregor’s desired return date in a recent interview, White reiterated, “You can imagine after I said that Conor was blowing me up going ‘I’m definitely fighting this year.’ When we get to a point where we’re setting a fight and I believe that a Conor McGregor fight is going to happen, I will announce it. As of right now, I believe that Conor will not fight this year.”
McGregor’s Recent History
McGregor has not stepped into the octagon since his loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021, where he suffered a devastating leg injury. His highly anticipated fight against Chandler at UFC 303 was called off after he broke his toe during training. McGregor expressed his disappointment in an Instagram post, writing, “Man we were so f—ing super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut wrenching to take. We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean.”
The Future of McGregor’s Return
It remains uncertain whether Chandler will still be McGregor’s opponent when he eventually makes his return to the octagon. McGregor’s desire to fight in December clashes with White’s stance that it will not happen this year. Only time will tell if these two UFC powerhouses can come to an agreement on McGregor’s comeback.
In conclusion, the ongoing saga between Dana White and Conor McGregor highlights the complexities and challenges of scheduling high-profile fights in the world of UFC. McGregor’s determination to return to the octagon clashes with White’s cautious approach, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the resolution of this heated debate. Stay tuned for more updates on McGregor’s potential comeback and the future of UFC.