Conor McGregor to Miss 2024 UFC Season, Confirms Dana White
The return of Conor McGregor to the UFC will not be happening in 2024. The confirmation came directly from UFC CEO Dana White during a post-fight press conference for Dana White's Contender Series. White disclosed that the former two-division champion will not be stepping back into the Octagon anytime soon.
"We talked. We talked. We didn't meet up but we talked, and yeah, he wants to fight. So we'll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won't fight this year," White elaborated, putting to rest any remaining speculation about McGregor's comeback.
McGregor's anticipated clash with Michael Chandler was originally set for UFC 303 in late June. However, during a training session, McGregor suffered a broken pinky toe, forcing him to withdraw from the fight. Despite initial hopes and continuous efforts to reschedule, the bout between McGregor and Chandler has yet to materialize.
Adding to the anticipation was McGregor's role as an opposing coach to Chandler on season 31 of "The Ultimate Fighter." Filming began in February 2023, adding fuel to the excitement for a showdown between the coaches. Nevertheless, the fight experienced multiple delays and the subsequent cancellation dashed the hopes of many MMA enthusiasts.
Speculation was rife that McGregor might face Chandler in December of this year, but White clarified that McGregor would not be returning to the cage in 2024. This announcement has left fans pondering McGregor's future in the sport.
Since November 2016, McGregor's UFC record has been less than stellar, standing at 1-3. His only victory since then came against Donald Cerrone. Alongside his in-cage struggles, McGregor has faced legal issues and has teased retirement multiple times, adding layers of uncertainty to his professional career.
Michael Chandler, meanwhile, last competed in November 2022, where he suffered a submission loss to Dustin Poirier. Chandler's recent UFC record mirrors McGregor's, also standing at 1-3 over his last four fights. The anticipation for a McGregor-Chandler showdown intensified partly because both fighters found themselves in similar positions, making the matchup highly intriguing.
The trajectory of their potential fight has been riddled with postponements, injuries, and ambiguity. As 2023 draws to a close, the prospect of McGregor entering the Octagon once again remains in limbo. UFC fans will undoubtedly be watching closely, eager for any updates on one of the sport's most enigmatic figures.
For now, all eyes will be on McGregor’s recovery and the challenges he faces both inside and outside the cage. Whether McGregor will ever return to reclaim his former glory remains one of the biggest questions hanging over the UFC landscape.