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UFC: Dana White Shares Shocking Conor McGregor Fight Update

What does this mean for the long-awaited return of "The Notorious"?

Fans will hopefully still see Conor McGregor return to the UFC this year, but it appears that the Irishman’s announcement for his next fight may have been premature. 

“The Notorious” repeatedly tested the patience of combat sports fans in the latter half of 2023 after he appeared opposite Michael Chandler on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter but failed to follow through on booking a return fight against the former Bellator champion.

McGregor sent the MMA world into a frenzy when he posted a video on social media announcing he’d be fighting Chandler at middleweight on June 29, but now Aaron Bronsteter reports that an opponent, date and weight class for the Irishman’s return are still unconfirmed, per a conversation UFC CEO Dana White had with Tim Micallef. 

Conor McGregor Michael Chandler UFC

McGregor previously announced that he'd take on Chandler in his return fight. 

If White’s statement is true, it marks another setback to what McGregor has already deemed “the greatest comeback of all time” after the former two-division champion broke his ankle in a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in 2021.

The 35-year-old did suggest he'd like to take on an opponent other than Chandler following the conclusion of TUF 31, but “Iron” has remained committed to the matchup and will almost certainly share an update with fans whenever he gets wind of this development.

McGregor’s claim that he’d be fighting Chandler at middleweight also admittedly sparked some questions among fans about the sincerity of his announcement, and now the entire combat sports world will wait for further news regarding when the UFC’s biggest star will return to the cage. 

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