Conor McGregor is eager to fight again in 2024, so much so that he took to social media platform X to ask fans to pressure UFC CEO Dana White into allowing him to fight in December at UFC 310. This came after White’s recent statement at a press conference, where he confirmed that McGregor would not be fighting this year.
McGregor’s public plea caught the attention of Jake Paul, who recently won a fight against Mike Perry. Paul took the opportunity to criticize McGregor’s situation, mocking the UFC star for having to rely on fan support to convince Dana White to schedule him a fight.
Jake Paul shared his thoughts on McGregor’s situation via Twitter, calling it a sad sight to see the biggest star in UFC history begging for a fight. He expressed pity for McGregor, noting that despite his stature, the Irishman seems to be controlled by Dana White and unable to fight when he wants.
Paul’s comments highlighted McGregor’s apparent decline, which has been a topic of conversation in the MMA community, as the once-dominant fighter appears to be struggling to regain his former prominence in the sport.
The delay in McGregor’s return to the Octagon may not be due to a personal conflict with Dana White. McGregor remains a massive star, and UFC tends to reserve him for high-profile PPV events rather than non-main event bouts.
Some, like former fighter Chael Sonnen, argue that this strategy keeps McGregor relevant as a significant draw for the UFC. However, it also limits his chances to fight frequently. Additionally, December’s PPV card is already packed with top fighters like Alex Pereira and Belal Muhammad, making it unlikely that McGregor will headline a non-title bout over a title fight.
McGregor’s frustration is heightened by his previous setbacks. He was initially set to make his comeback earlier in 2024, with a scheduled fight against Michael Chandler headlining UFC 303. However, a broken pinky toe forced McGregor to withdraw from the fight just weeks before it took place.
Although McGregor quickly recovered and began training again, Dana White remained firm that McGregor would not be fighting this year. This has left fans and commentators wondering why McGregor is so desperate to get back in the cage before the end of 2024.
McGregor’s desperation stems from his dwindling career opportunities as he nears the age of 40. His last fight was in 2021, and injuries have kept him out of the Octagon for several years. At 36, with just one win in his last four fights over six years, his career is clearly on the decline.
Dana White’s confirmation that McGregor will not fight this year has pushed McGregor to the edge of frustration, raising questions about his future in the sport. Although still a huge name, McGregor’s window of opportunity is shrinking, and his inability to secure a fight in 2024 may mark the beginning of the end for the Irish fighter.
