Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor will not be returning to the octagon this year. UFC CEO Dana White revealed the news on Tuesday during the Dana White’s Contender Series post-fight press conference in Las Vegas.
White and McGregor spoke over the weekend and White stated, “He wants to fight.” White also divulged that McGregor will not be back in action this year.
“He won’t fight this year,” he said.
McGregor was scheduled to face Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 main event on June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but was forced out of the bout due to a toe injury. The matchup was expected to be rebooked for December, but that’s not happening.
The McGregor and Chandler fight has been in the making since they coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 as opposing coaches last year. It’s unclear whether McGregor will still face Chandler when he does fight again. Chandler seemed to have moved on from the McGregor bout in a recent interview calling for a rematch against former champion Charles Oliveira.
McGregor has been out of action since breaking his leg in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor last tasted victory in January 2020, defeating Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone via technical knockout in just 40 seconds.
