Well, it appears the UFC and Conor McGregor are once again at odds when it comes to his return.
After a June date fell through, with McGregor falling out of UFC 303 due to a broken toe, there’s been much speculation as to when he’ll be back. As it turns out, it may not be in 2024— though McGregor himself wants a December date.
Let’s recap: McGregor badly broke his leg in the rubber match of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier back in July of 2021. He’s been on the mend since, with talk of his return dragging on until the June 2024 date, part of International Fight Week, was announced back in April. McGregor’s return also strained the UFC’s relationship with USADA, who were upset over the possibility of McGregor potentially receiving a veto from six months of mandatory drug testing after returning from inactivity.
McGregor, for the record, has never failed a drug test, and did not ultimately receive any exemption. He’s been in the testing pool with the promotion’s new drug testing agency, Combat Sports Anti-Doping, and has been tested 10 times so far this year.
On the mend from his broken toe, many assumed McGregor might be back in action in time for UFC 310, the final PPV event of the year, expected for Las Vegas on December 7, 2024. That doesn’t seem to be the case, per White.
Following Tuesday’s Contender Series season-opener, White held a media scrum with reporters, where he addressed the matter (h/t MMA Fighting). “We talked. We talked,” White said, before clarifying that it was not an in-person meeting. “We didn’t meet up but we talked, and yeah, he wants to fight. So we’ll figure it out.
“Not this year. He won’t fight this year.”
Despite White’s comments, which may boil down to already having a main event penciled in for December, McGregor appears to be itching for the date. On social media, he responded directly to White’s comments.
“Ah Dana, December is the date! Bring the calendar year home with a winning event!” exclaimed McGregor on Twitter/X. “Come on now, what’s this? I am off to altitude next month to prepare. DECEMBER! Tell Dana and UFC WE WANT DECEMBER! WE DESERVE DECEMBER!””
No fights have been officially announced for the December card, though Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes has been reported for it.
