UFC CEO Dana White has rejected Conor McGregor’s recent claim that he will be stepping into the octagon on June 29th. McGregor, who initiated the New Year with a video announcement on ‘X’, stated that his much-anticipated comeback would occur during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, with Michael Chandler as his opponent at a weight of 185 pounds.
The connection between McGregor and Chandler dates back to their roles as opposing coaches on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter last spring. Although initially planned for UFC 296 in December, the bout was delayed due to concerns about McGregor’s eligibility. Subsequent rumors placed them at April’s UFC 300 event, but that arrangement also failed to materialize.
Contrary to McGregor’s announcement, UFC CEO Dana White, responding to a reporter’s inquiry at the UFC 297 post-fight press conference, indicated that McGregor will not be returning to the octagon in June. White offered a straightforward response: “Uhh, no. If and when Conor is ready to fight, you know we’ll announce it.”
Adding an element of uncertainty, Dana White has not committed to Michael Chandler being McGregor’s comeback opponent. Before UFC 297, White shared thoughts with Sportsnet, stating, “So, McGregor will be back this year, possibly him and Chandler. We’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
The question remains whether Conor McGregor will indeed make a return to the octagon in 2024, leaving fans in suspense about the fate of his much-anticipated comeback.
