Conor McGregor is not expected to make his return to the UFC in early 2024 anymore, according to coach John Kavanagh. Plans were for McGregor to fight later this year. That was pushed back to April and now the summer is the new target date.
John Kavanagh appeared on The MMA Hour and broke some news regarding the return of Conor McGregor.
According to Kavanagh, the plan now for the former UFC champion to fight again is being targeted for summer 2024. They were looking to book him vs. Michael Chandler in April of next year, but that is no longer the case.
“We were hoping for April,” Kavanagh said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “That was the hope. That was what we were told. And now it seems to be the summertime.
“I don’t know (why). That’s literally what we were having a bit of a back and forward (about).”
Earlier this year, McGregor said the UFC was looking at April for his return. He had finally been entered back into the drug-testing pool, which also turned into another interesting situation between the UFC and USADA.
Conor McGregor Being Held Back For International Fight Week?
Kavanagh added that some around Camp Conor feel the promotion could be looking to save him for July and the annual International Fight Week event in Las Vegas.
The spring is set up for UFC 300, which will be a marquee event for the promotion in April.
Kavanagh added they are “very frustrated” over the latest change but said “What good does worry do me?”
“(My wife) sent me a great one, it was like, ‘Worry is like paying a dept you don’t owe,'” he said. “So look, what will be will be. Today’s great. For me to live in seven months’ time, I can’t do it.”
Conor McGregor Has Fought Just Three Times In Five Years
McGregor will turn 36 years old in July and has fought just three times since 2018. He is 1-3 over his last four, but has held both the UFC lightweight and featherweight championships.
In July of 2021, he was bested by Dustin Poirier for a second consecutive time, suffering a serious leg injury. He returned to appear on The Ultimate Fighter earlier this year opposite Chandler to set that bout up.
McGregor vs. Chandler is still expected to take place at 170 pounds.
