Conor McGregor is training to return to the Octagon. It looks as though he will finally be fighting early next year or so. That’s the word from UFC CEO, Dana White. He is currently in the Irishman’s home city of Dublin promoting a boxing event.
Conor McGregor was to return for a five-round welterweight PPV top bill at UFC 303. He was to face Michael Chandler in June, but he had to cancel media obligations due to a toe injury. After years on the shelf, Chandler has moved on and will fight at UFC 309 Pay-per-view next. Dana White recently offered some positive updates on the matter.
The answer to your question [return] is, soon…It’s going to determine when Conor comes back who the opponent is, …Whenever Conor is ready and he comes back. He hit me up last night when he heard that I was here and he’s in New York right now and he is training.
Dana White during Dublin 3Arena #WalshRunowski LIVE weigh-in Media Day pre-fight presser; H/T: bloodyelbow.com
Dana White recently fielded questions from the media scrum during Q&A at the weigh-ins for boxing prospect Callum Walsh’s Irish homecoming. Walsh faces Przemyslaw Runowski, live on UFC Fight Pass at 12:30 P.M. ET/9:30 A.M. PT this weekend. The UFC Bossman marks some positive changes, going into the boxing broadcasting grind. White had only once previously ponied up big bucks to act as a promoter. This was for the McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather ‘The Money Fight‘ at the T-Mobile Arena.
Dana White plans to be involved in boxing more.
Later, when asked about who Conor McGregor’s opponent will be:
It’s gonna determine when Conor comes back who the opponent is. Whenever Conor is ready and he comes back. pic.twitter.com/z8MtV7Xjoj
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 19, 2024
Long gone are the days when ‘Notorious’ marked the pioneer crossover boxing venture against the undefeated eleven-time five-division boxing world champ. The 55-year-old CEO did not confirm who the opponent will be. Neither could he tell if the winner of Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira would fight him next. However, White did say McGregor is training and will be ready.
Dana White’s media rounds and foray into boxing are a sad reminder of what could have been McGregor’s UFC 303’ Pay-per-view kickoff press conference at 3Arena. McGregor’s last big stint at Dublin’s 3Arena was when he defeated Diego Brandao in 2014.
Conor McGregor back to sparring (Source: Instagram)The fight catapulted Conor McGregor to superstardom. It also saw him cut his famous slick “Not here to take part, here to take over…” promo. However, Team SBG Ireland’s top crop has had a dwindling effect on the scope of combat sports. Out on a leg break since his 2021 fight with Dustin Poirier, ‘Mac’ has been far from the UFC Pound-for-pound listings.
McGregor has kept on his entrepreneurial ventures and role as an MMA promoter and as part-owner of BKFC. He has no such equity stake in UFC and is a hard shot away from the fight. However, the Dubliner is keeping up his training.
Mcgregor was recently in New York, working the NYSE trading floors for the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Charity Day. During the time frame, he put some sweet science pad work and rounds in at New York City. His focus is still on the fight.
New footage he has released from the gym shows him getting ready in the boxing ring with one of America’s top prospects. With a caption praising Dana White for coming to Dublin, McGregor shared a reel of himself landing a big combination on Sean O’Bradaigh.
The clip begins with the former two-time UFC champ closing distance and then unleashing a bludgeoning left that sent his opponent to the ropes. Bouncing back towards McGregor, the MMA star doubled up with right hands, which he answered. These are no true measures of readiness, but here’s hoping the ‘Connie comeback’ comes similarly active and sooner.
