Conor McGregor's Next Bout Uncertain, Despite December Hopes

Conor McGregor will not make his highly anticipated UFC comeback this year, according to UFC president Dana White. The Independent reported. McGregor, the former two-weight champion, withdrew from his scheduled welterweight bout against Michael Chandler on 29 June due to a broken toe. Originally, the 36-year-old was set to return after a lengthy absence following his leg break in a July 2021 defeat by Dustin Poirier. White confirmed their conversations, stating, "We didn't meet up, but we talked, and yeah, [McGregor] wants to fight. So we'll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won't fight this year."

In response on X (formerly Twitter), 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!" McGregor's insistence on a December return suggests he believes an end-of-year fight is still feasible, possibly eyeing UFC 310 in Las Vegas as the occasion. Despite McGregor's eagerness, the sequence of upcoming UFC headline events, including Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway and Jon Jones likely headlining UFC 309, compresses opportunities for another headline event this year.

Since 2016, McGregor has fought only four times, achieving his last significant victory against Eddie Alvarez to become a two-weight UFC champion. McGregor hasn't competed in the UFC since his leg injury in 2021, leaving him with an overall MMA record of 22 wins and six losses. Adding to the complications, McGregor's hint at a return was clouded by recent social media interactions, revealing his foot is likely fully healed but with no confirmed dates.

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