As 2024 continues, one of the biggest questions in the UFC remains unanswered: Is there gonna be a comeback bout for Conor McGregor? However, UFC chief executive Dana White has been succinct on this one hailing that people should not expect to see the ‘The Notorious’ in the Octagon again in the year. McGregor’s proposed return fight against Michael Chandler that was meant to happen in June at UFC 303 was scuppered by a broken toe. Speculations of a december bout were quickly dismissed by White when he said, “ he won’t fight this year”.
Matt Brown Seriously Question McGregor’s Comeback
Former UFC welterweight Matt Brown used to think the same and has kept on saying that McGregor has no more fighting in him. Brown now more than ever has been echoed by the recent McGregor’s rust, for which his much-deserved comeback has been pushed to the delays. In the podcast recently published in The Fighter vs. The Writer with Brown, the man didn’t pull punches at all. “He’s gone,” Brown said, the man who will fight Said Nurmagomedov later this month echoing Schaefer’s thoughts about McGregor’s future in the sport. How many years have I been saying it? It is time to start thinking about the future, I’ve said it for a long time now, he’s done.
McGregor pointed out that there is still a slight possibility for the latter to make a comeback but the UFC urged that the possibility is only at 20%. That’s what being a celebrity is, making sure he is in the news and making sure people remember his name, Brown said. Everyone would like to see him fight still, I’d like to see him fight Chandler or whoever, however, the likelihood is next to nothing.
The Case of McGregor’s Absence
But Brown is not the only one who doubts the UFC fighter’s next move. Even Dana White has been known to speak negative things about it. During an interview on the in June, White said, “Conor McGregor—maybe he’ll fight again, maybe he won’t. You never know with some of the guys that get to that level [of wealth]. ”
McGregor’s last fight inside the octagon was a first-round stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021 in which the Irishman sustained a horrific leg break. His return to the wrestling ring has been characterised by so much delay, injuries and other mishaps. The fact remains that hundreds of thousands of people, including Brown, have any doubt whether McGregor will be able to fight at the highest level once again.
Chandler’s Long Wait
As for McGregor, he was just left hanging while Michael Chandler has been left in a very unenviable situation. Since signing up to coach on “The Ultimate Fighter” and make a fight for himself against McGregor, Chandler has been put on the shelf. What a man like Chandler has done is waiting for almost over two years for a fight that might never come to reality all with his 39th birthday is due in April 2025.
The Risk of Waiting
In fact, the greatest risk for Chandler has to be the continuation of his wait for McGregor. According to Brown, Chandler could have been able to fight several times within the last two years even if he were to incur losses. As I have stressed a million times, say he fought four times in those two years and went 2-2—Conor still fights him,” Brown said.
