Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the UFC Octagon faces further delay, as revealed by UFC president Dana White during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
White expressed his hopes for McGregor to square off against Michael Chandler in the fall, dashing the expectations of fans who had speculated about McGregor’s comeback for UFC 300 in April or International Fight Week in June.
McGregor’s absence from the Octagon has stretched since July 2021, when a broken ankle marred his bout against Dustin Poirier, marking his second consecutive defeat.
Despite coaching opposite Chandler in the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, the much-anticipated clash between the two fighters remains elusive.
What it looks like when you stand in front of a man that is steadfast and immovable. Watch the happy-go-lucky nervous tension in him. Who backs out of the pocket first? Are we friends @TheNotoriousMMA ? pic.twitter.com/VluWu9wt6q
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 29, 2024
Chandler, who last fought in November 2022 against Poirier, has persistently called out McGregor on social media, urging for their long-awaited showdown. However, these efforts failed to materialize into a scheduled fight.
Expressing his frustration, McGregor took to Instagram, urging for a definitive date to be set for the bout, indicating that the delay isn’t from his end.
Despite McGregor’s status as one of UFC’s biggest draws, White has encountered difficulties in solidifying a date for his return.
Nonetheless, anticipation among fans continues to soar as they eagerly await McGregor’s clash with Chandler in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the Octagon.