McGregor's Frustration with UFC Grows Amidst Comeback Uncertainty
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has openly expressed his discontent with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) due to what he perceives as unfair treatment. The Irish superstar has been on the sidelines since July 2021, recovering from a leg injury sustained in his last bout. McGregor's anticipated return to the octagon has faced delays, with the latest being attributed to his late entry into the drug-testing pool.
After completing the necessary steps to re-enter the testing pool in October, McGregor is now eligible to compete again starting April 8, 2024. Despite this clearance, his coach has hinted at a potential summer comeback, which would mark nearly three years since McGregor's last fight.
The fighter's relationship with the UFC seems to have soured during this hiatus. McGregor feels that his treatment by the organization has been unprecedented considering the significant financial contributions he has made to the sport through his high-profile fights and pay-per-view sales.
White Provides No Solid Update on Return
Dana White, the president of the UFC, has not provided any concrete updates regarding McGregor's return to fighting. When questioned about the situation, White simply stated he had "got nothing on either one of those guys right now," leaving fans and McGregor himself in the dark about when they might see the former champion back in action.
Chandler Eyes Diaz, Not McGregor
Amidst the uncertainty of McGregor's return, fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler appears to have shifted his focus away from a potential matchup with McGregor. Instead, Chandler is reportedly looking to secure a fight with another fan favorite, Nate Diaz, possibly closing the door on a high-stakes clash with McGregor in the near future.
Boxing Match Challenge: McGregor vs. Pacquiao?
While his MMA career remains in limbo, McGregor has stirred the combat sports world by challenging Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to a boxing match in Saudi Arabia. This call-out comes amidst a legal dispute in which McGregor claims Pacquiao owes him eight million dollars. McGregor's foray into professional boxing has been limited, with his sole boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August 2017.
McGregor's challenge to Pacquiao includes a bold proposition for the boxer to meet him at a higher weight class. He argues that since boxing is Pacquiao's domain, it would be fair for Pacquiao to move up in weight rather than McGregor drop down. Further pressing his point, McGregor suggests that if he is to compete under boxing rules, he should be allowed to utilize a more diverse set of combat skills, including kicking and grappling, to level the playing field.
McGregor's Recent Fight Record
Since 2016, McGregor's appearances inside the UFC octagon have been sparse. He has competed only four times, securing a single victory over Donald Cerrone while suffering defeats to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier twice. These results are a far cry from the dominance McGregor displayed earlier in his career, which saw him become the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously.
McGregor's Plea for Clarity
In a series of quotes reflecting his exasperation, McGregor has pleaded for clarity regarding his fighting future. "Give me something. It was supposed to be April, (and before) it was supposed to be December. They never treated anyone – no one has ever been treated [like this] for all the figures I've brought in this game," McGregor lamented. The star's frustration is palpable as he describes being kept from his livelihood for almost three years, calling the situation "beyond frustrating."
He continues to express his desperation for a confirmed date, emphasizing his waning patience. "I just want the date. Give me the date, please. That's it. … I'm waiting, I'm waiting and I'm waiting," McGregor states, signaling his readiness to return to competition and resolve the current standstill in his career.
As the saga unfolds, the combat sports community watches closely to see how McGregor's career will resume—whether it will be within the confines of the UFC's octagon or the squared circle of the boxing ring against Pacquiao. What remains clear is McGregor's eagerness to compete and prove that he still belongs at the pinnacle of combat sports.