Former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor will not make his long-awaited return to the Octagon this year, UFC president Dana White said.
McGregor has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier in 2021, a bout in which he also suffered a broken leg. The 36-year-old withdrew from his scheduled UFC 303 welterweight bout against Michael Chandler in June due to a broken toe.
“We didn’t meet up but we talked, and yeah, [McGregor] wants to fight. So we’ll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won’t fight this year,” White told reporters on Tuesday.
Irishman McGregor responded in a post on X saying he wanted to fight at the end of the year.
Expectations running high for Ireland ahead of Six Nations
Chris Busby resigning shows Mack Hansen issue has been botched from first to last
Champions Cup permutations: What is on the line for Leinster, Munster and Ulster in final pool matches?
Ken Early: If Mikel Arteta really loves Arsenal’s players, he should let them play
“December is the date! Bring the calendar year home with a winning event!” McGregor wrote. “I am off to altitude next month to prepare. Tell Dana and UFC we want December! We deserve December!” - Reuters