The UFC has been patiently waiting to see the return of Irish superstar, Conor McGregor. McGregor was set to face off against Michael Chandler after both were coaches for “The Ultimate Fighter.” After waiting months for it to happen, UFC 303 in June was set.
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Weeks before the fight was set to occur, trouble began to brew via a canceled press conference, and reports poured in that McGregor would not be making it to the fight due to a broken toe.
McGregor ensured he would return sooner rather than later, but instead of the UFC waiting for this to happen — they instead chose to book Chandler vs Charles Oliveira.
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McGregor went on the typical NSFW attack, calling Chandler a “fat f****** p****” for booking another opponent.
After the attack on Chandler via social media, McGregor chose to speak on the delays with the UFC at Friday’s BKFC event.
Conor McGregor reacts to Michael Chandler taking a fight vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 and voices frustration booking his UFC return.
“I’m out of the loop with it. … I have two fights left on the contract and it’s taking a minute.” pic.twitter.com/jaZNMcueDr
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 14, 2024
Via MMA Junkie by way of BKFC, McGregor pointed out the amount of testing for banned substances he has received from the UFC. However, the testing has not led to his securing a date for a return.
“I got tested this evening. I got tested today by the Drug Free Sport agency,” McGregor said at the BKFC 66 post-event news conference. “I’m the most tested athlete on the roster by more than twice the amount. I believe I’m maybe tested 13 times, the amount of seconds it took me to finish Jose Aldo. Thirteen times.”
McGregor voiced his frustration with the fact that he has been tested by the UFC a lot but that has not led to confirmation of his next fight. Despite those frustrations, McGregor also revealed that he is happy with the fact that Chandler booked another opponent.
The pair can still fight one another, but the date might be more in line with early 2025.
“As far as Chandler rematching Oliviera, I’m happy with the date,” McGregor said. “It’s November. Maybe we can still do it after if they’re not going to line me up out till maybe December, January, February – one of these dates. Maybe we can still do it.”
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Chandler also responded to fans about his own return via his own social media channels and reacted to McGregor’s X post about his bailing on their matchup. However, Chandler calls McGregor “The most unreliable human being that has graced martial arts.” Chandler’s callout is clearly still stoking the fire of the pair’s rivalry, which might still happen in early 2025.
McGregor has become a part owner of BKFC and also called for the UFC to do some sort of exemption or partnership with him. Whether or not that would help speed up his return, it appears the world will have to wait for “Mystic” Mac to return next year.