Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback has been pushed back once again as the Irishman confirmed he won’t be in the octagon this year.
The former two-weight world champion has been out of action since July of 2021 when he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. He was due to return this June after a three-year absence at UFC 303, but he was forced out of that bout when he broke his toe during camp.
Now, McGregor has claimed that he won’t be back in action before the end of this year, with UFC pay-per-view cards filling up as we approach January. And with his opponent Michael Chandler being matched for UFC 309 in November, he is now seemingly farther away than ever.
Conor McGregor confirms UFC comeback won’t happen this year
On Saturday night, Conor McGregor traveled to London to take in Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’ world heavyweight title fight. He stole the show from ringside appearing in a trademark flashy suit and brandishing a cigar.
As he was on his way into Wembley Stadium, he took a brief detour to visit with media, and caught up with MMA reporter Ariel Helwani who was working the DAZN broadcast. There, he was asked about his future plans, and gave a bleak outlook for fans expecting a December return.
“It will be 2025,” he replied when asked when he will make his comeback. “We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled has been matched, it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on. My job is to go to the gym and be in shape. Whenever it is and wherever it is, I will be 100 per cent ready.”
Conor McGregor names prospective timeline and opponent for comeback
McGregor had been expected to face Michael Chandler this summer, after the pair signed to fight as long ago as February of last year and coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter. But the American has now signed to rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
However, McGregor is still hopeful that he will be able to close the chapter with Chandler after years of build-up and make the fight happen. That fight takes place on November 16, so the Irishman would likely want a quick turnaround for his opponent.
