Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon in more than three years. The former dual lightweight and featherweight champion was supposed to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but he was sadly had to withdraw due to a recurring wrist issue. Growing evidence suggested that December would be the ideal time for McGregor to make his eagerly anticipated comeback to the sport. Nevertheless, new information and updates from his camp indicate that a return may not be as soon as supporters had anticipated. As he and the UFC consider their options, McGregor’s comeback is still up in the air.
Last Announcement from Dana White
Dana White recently announced that a fight would not be scheduled for McGregor until he was fully prepared. This announcement has fueled speculation and frustration among fans and fighters alike. McGregor had indicated he would return around September, but no official fight has yet been confirmed for him. Former two-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has clarified the situation, highlighting the challenges Dana White faces in fighting McGregor.
Is it December or March?
According to Daniel Cormier, the chances of a fight for McGregor in December are slimming down. In an interview with Chael Sonnen on the ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ podcast, Cormier revealed the UFC’s tight schedule and lack of space for McGregor in December saying “I haven’t heard anything about a possible December fight . Whether we’re in the business or in the company, we know the plan,” Cormier explained.
Cormier added, “That’s why we can almost imagine Jon Jones fighting Stipe in New York; Both said they wanted to. We see all these other fighters, all these competitors. No December war. Not that anyone else will be ready for December, so it could be Conor McGregor.” If December isn’t on the table, Cormier suggests McGregor’s return could be pushed to March of next year.
Pressures on Dana White
Daniel Cormier also alluded to the immense pressure from Dana White to schedule McGregor’s fight. With McGregor’s fight in limbo for more than a year, the UFC president faces mounting scrutiny. Cormier elaborated, “But when I really think about it, if it doesn’t happen in December, you have to find the right place for Conor to fight. I don’t know if they want to wait until March to fight McGregor because next time they’ll be in Las Vegas.”
A December Slot is expected
Despite the challenges, Cormier remains optimistic that McGregor’s can return in December. He believes Dana White’s comments may hint at the possibility of a war. “When you listen to the boss [White], it’s about how he talks. You have to read between the lines and he says Connor alone. But even him saying, ‘We’ll have to see,’ tells you there’s hope,” Cormier said.
Cormier’s prospects back up the current UFC strategy. While UFC 310 could potentially be slotted for McGregor, the promotion could still find a way to do it. The UFC lineup for the rest of the year includes high-profile events like UFC 306/Noche UFC featuring O’Malley vs. O’Malley. O’Malley will continue. With nearly every main contender booked, McGregor might just land a main event slot for UFC 310 .
