Conor McGregor has slid down another place in the UFC lightweight rankings just days after Dana White confirmed his comeback would be delayed.
The Irishman has been out of action since last July when he broke his leg in a second consecutive defeat by bitter rival Dustin Poirier. McGregor has been following a strict rehabilitation programme which has seen him slowly build up his training in an attempt to make a comeback next year and revive his UFC career.
On Saturday, UFC president White confirmed McGregor's UFC comeback would now be delayed for at least another six months, with athletes required to be enrolled in the USADA testing pool before competing. And it now appears the Irishman's ranking has paid the price, with McGregor sliding one place to No.13 in the official rankings behind Dan Hooker.
McGregor slid out of the top 10 earlier this year with his recent decline in form seeing him without a win at 155lb since 2016 when he fought Eddie Alvarez to become a two-weight champion. Since then his only win has come at 170lb when he beat Donald Cerrone in his comeback fight following a defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov two years prior.
McGregor is unlikely to fight again at lightweight after confirming he will likely return at 170lb following his recent weight increase. It will likely be a long route back for the UFC superstar who is not expected to return to the pinnacle of the division immediately despite clamouring for a quick-fire title shot against champion Leon Edwards.
Several fighters will likely be in the mix ahead of McGregor including former champion Kamaru Usman who recently lost his belt to Edwards and is seeking a trilogy fight. Khamzat Chimaev also looked set to be in the mix for a shot, but he may now move to 185lb after failing to make weight for his previous scheduled bout against Nate Diaz.
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McGregor is currently focusing on filming for his first acting appearance in a remake of Hollywood classic Road House alongside Jake Jake Gyllenhaal. But he has confirmed that he is eyeing a series of fights next year which will take place before the film is released.
He wrote on Twitter : "Fighting is easier than making movies. Shots they don't even see. It's well documented that it takes multiple days with multiple replays post fight for the industry to even grasp all of the shots they've just seen with my fights. Truth. 'Mr tasty shots on the big screen.
"I'm feeling crazy confident. Calm. Detached from emotion. Aware of what I must do and making it happen. Visualising. I see it all. Clear. This movie wraps, I'm back. I'll have multiple fights completed by the time this movie even releases."
