Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in July was postponed due to a broken pinky toe. McGregor hinted at a December comeback, but UFC CEO Dana White has made it clear that it won’t happen this year, suggesting early 2025 instead.
Despite White’s timeline, McGregor’s longtime coach John Kavanagh believes McGregor is ready to fight now. Kavanagh stated that McGregor is currently in fight shape and that they are already in heavy training, even though they are training remotely together at the moment. McGregor’s training videos show that he is looking sharp and ready to compete, according to Kavanagh.
McGregor’s Last Fight
McGregor hasn’t competed since his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, where he suffered a broken leg. On the other hand, Chandler last fought in November 2022, losing to Poirier via submission. Both fighters have been out of action for a while, with Chandler putting his career on hold in hopes of a lucrative fight against McGregor.
While White acknowledges McGregor’s superstar status and contributions to the sport, he insists that McGregor will not fight until early 2025. White cited McGregor’s extended time off and financial stature as reasons for the delay. Despite McGregor’s eagerness to return to the Octagon, White is firm on his decision about the timing of his next fight.
The conflicting views between McGregor’s coach, Kavanagh, and UFC CEO Dana White have created uncertainty around McGregor’s return to the Octagon. McGregor’s readiness to fight now contrasts with the UFC’s plans for his comeback in early 2025. Fans eagerly await McGregor’s return to competition, especially against the likes of Michael Chandler, as the drama around his next fight continues to unfold.