Conor McGregor’s anticipated return at UFC 303 after not returning in 2023 due to a USADA controversy also hit a rough patch. An injury prompted Dana White and Michael Chandler to begin planning McGregor’s return, bringing MMA to the forefront. Journalist Ariel Helwani shed light on the McGregor camp, revealing internal discussions before the decision to pull out of the main event.
Feelings in Conor McGregor’s Camp
Ariel Helwani insisted that despite differing opinions on McGregor’s skills, the Irish fighter never left the UFC voluntarily. His withdrawal from UFC 200, where he was set to face Nate Diaz, was not his decision but the UFC’s.
“The UFC wasn’t feeling confident, [the UFC] touched 200, a big event for them. He pulled [McGregor] out at [UFC] 202. He never pulled out of that fight. He’s never been pulled out of a fight,” Helwani said, insisting that McGregor is committed to fighting.
Injury Concerns and Team Decisions
Helwani highlighted the injury issue, pointing out McGregor’s last fight against Dustin Poirier. Already injured in that fight, McGregor entered the Octagon and ended up with a broken leg after being denied by the event.
“He got injured going into the last Poirier fight so what happened? [He had] a broken leg, and he hadn’t fought since… so the feeling of his team was, ‘Why are you coming down? The fight is too big, you wait too long… it’s a legacy fight… maybe one fight away from a potential title shot you can’t take the pressure of the event off your shoulders,’ Helwani said, with his band telling the road a precautionary approach.
A Nightmare for Supporters
Fans were expecting McGregor back, and Helwani acknowledged that his withdrawal from UFC 303 was “a nightmare of a situation.” The announcement of the battle had created a lot of excitement and promised a $20 million prize fund, so many people were unhappy when it was called off. But since he might return soon, there’s hope that he’s recovered.
A Period of Recuperation
Although the exact nature of McGregor’s injury is yet unknown, Helwani’s remarks suggest that it is not as bad as prior ones. It is anticipated that the Irishman will be fully recovered in two months, allowing him to play by August. Fans were hoping that McGregor’s break from the sport wouldn’t last too long after this news.
Prospective Regression and Future Planning
Potential dates for McGregor vs Chandler are being discussed by UFC matchmakers, who have an eye toward an August return. Despite McGregor’s stated wish to square off at the Sphere in Las Vegas, his plans might not coincide with the UFC’s timetable. Although a final decision has not yet been made, his return date might be either August 31 or September 28.
Conor McGregor’s comeback to the Octagon is usually a big deal, thus the MMA community is eagerly awaiting it. His participation gives the sport a significant financial boost in addition to enthusiasm. Fans and the UFC are hoping that McGregor will return to peak form soon and take back the top spot.
