Though all signs point to him competing in the fall at the
earliest, Conor
McGregor still has designs on competing at UFC 303
during International Fight Week.
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The former
UFC two-division champion recently hosted a brief Q&A on
his Instagram Stories, where he addressed his fighting plans and
other topics. During that session, McGregor confirmed that he still
wants to fight at UFC 303. The Dublin native
announced on New Year’s Eve that he would face Michael
Chandler on June 29 at 185 pounds, but UFC CEO Dana White later
disputed that claim, instead targeting the fall for the Irish
star’s return.
“Still holding hope for June 29,” McGregor wrote. “Lack of action
on it, however, is now causing lack of enthusiasm. I need a
decision soon. I am the most tested athlete under this new regime.
Yet no date to fight.
“The game is a bit lackluster also at present, which isn’t helping.
I hope these next few cards pop and I get a date. Eliminate
distractions and begin real work towards it.”
McGregor was also asked about a potential trilogy against rival
Nate
Diaz, and he responded by revealing that he has asked to face
the Stockton, Calif., native at the Noche
UFC event on Sept. 14 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
“I wish for this on Mexican Independence Day in The Sphere,”
McGregor wrote. “Chandler [in] June, Diaz [in] September. I have
let this be known.”
McGregor also claimed that a rumored boxing match against Manny
Pacquiao could come to fruition by year’s end. The “Notorious” one
famously made his first boxing crossover in August 2017, when he
fell to Floyd
Mayweather Jr. via technical knockout in the 10th round of
their bout. If he faces Pacquiao, the fight would likely be in
Saudi Arabia.
“It’s still there,” McGregor wrote of the Pacquiao fight. “Could be
December. The Saudis are game changers in the market 100%.”
While McGregor called the sport “a bit lackluster” during his
Q&A, he also offered praise for the UFC 300 card, which has
come under criticism for lacking a truly attention-grabbing main
event. However, the lineup is one of the deepest in recent memory
even without some of the promotion’s big-ticket stars.
“I love it. They have done a tremendous job under difficult
timing,” McGregor wrote. “Highly impresssed. Some absolute cracking
fights on the card.”
Thus far, no date has been confirmed regarding McGregor’s Octagon
return. It has been more than two years now since he broke his leg
in a loss to Dustin
Poirier at UFC 264 on July 10, 2021. When questioned about his
training, McGregor revealed one primary area of focus.
“I have been doing more martial arts work over all other forms
lately,” he wrote. “My kicks are ready to go.”