If you’re a Conor McGregor fan anxiously awaiting the return of the UFC’s biggest star to the octagon, here’s some good news: He’s at least somewhat optimistic about fighting before 2024 comes to a close.
The bad news? An announcement doesn’t appear to be imminent based on his latest public comments.
In an interview with talkSPORT released Monday, McGregor alluded to having to get through a current period of promoting the upcoming release of the “Road House” remake – in which he co-stars with Jake Gyllenhaal – before he can turn his attention completely to a return to fighting.
“After that, it’s a closed door,” McGregor said. “So I get to go in and close the door and map my plan. And then gym-home, gym-home, gym-home. And I hope we get some clarity with a date, and I can push towards it. I’m sure we will get something in by year’s end. That’s what I’m hoping.”
Back on New Year’s Day, McGregor announced on social media that he would return June 29 at UFC 303 to fight Michael Chandler, a long-anticipated showdown after the two men coaches against each other last year on “The Ultimate Fighter 31.” But the UFC never officially co-signed on the date, with promotion CEO Dana White only speaking ambiguously about potential negotiations.
Since then McGregor has openly talked about wanting a fourth fight with Dustin Poirier and a trilogy with Nate Diaz, in addition to meeting Chandler as planned. McGregor was even so specific as to say his ideal scenario is to fight Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas and then return to “Sin City” in September to fight Diaz at the promotion’s highly anticipated Noche UFC event from the Sphere.
McGregor, who has two fights left on his UFC contract, reiterated his desire for that timeline in the talkSPORT interview, but his words cast doubt that he’s been in any serious discussions with the UFC.
“That would be great for me – June 29th and then the Sphere,” McGregor said. “And then what? What happens then? I don’t know. And I wonder do they know? There’s been no talk about anything. So I wonder what next. …
“There was cold water put on (fighting Diaz at the Sphere) publicly off the bat, and I wasn’t happy with that. I need discussion or conversation, because if I lose interest – and I’m not getting anything back – I just drift off, my man. So I hope I can get something in and get dialed in.”
