Just caught up with @TheNotoriousMMA
here at Wembley for @DAZNBoxing.We talked about whether he’ll fight this year, Chandler taking
another fight, and his pending free agency. pic.twitter.com/3Di04yS5X4— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
September 21, 2024
Conor
McGregor is uncertain of his future once he exhausts his
current
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.
Arguably the greatest star in the history of the sport, McGregor
has now been sidelined for over three years since breaking his leg
in a loss against Dustin
Poirier at UFC 264. McGregor starred opposite Michael
Chandler as rival coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” last
year, with a clash between them scheduled for UFC 303
this past July. However, “Notorious” was forced out due to a broken
pinky toe. After waiting for McGregor for almost two years,
Chandler has now accepted a clash against Charles
Oliveira at UFC 309
on Nov. 16, casting further doubt on the Irishman’s return
timeline.
UFC CEO Dana White recently said that McGregor will likely return
in 2025, which the Dubliner has now confirmed. McGregor was in
attendance for Daniel
Dubois’ upset KO win over Anthony
Joshua at the Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. McGregor
spoke to Ariel Helwani about his return timeline and Chandler being
booked against “do Bronx.”
“It’ll be 2025. We’ll see,” McGregor said. “My opponent that I had
scheduled has got matched… It is what it is. I just take it on
board and rock on. My job is to go to the gym, be in the gym, and
be in shape. One thing is for sure. Whenever it is and wherever it
is, I will be 100% ready. That’s all I can focus on right now.”
McGregor has two fights left in his current UFC contract, which he
plans on fighting out in 2025.
“I must,” he said. “It’s the promised land. We’ll see.”
And the former two-division UFC champ is unsure of his future in
the promotion once he is a free agent.
“I don’t even know. I don’t think anyone in the space knows,”
McGregor said. “I’m the highest generating fighter on planet earth
right now. What happens after this as I’m a free agent I’m not so
sure.”
At 36 years of age McGregor is undoubtedly at a crossroads in his
career having dropped three of his last four, albeit against
top-tier competition. As for a potential opponent for his return,
McGregor would like to settle the saga with Chandler and hopes
“Iron” gets his hand raised against Oliveira.
“I’d like it to be Chandler,” McGregor said. “I would like to get
that squared away, you know. So I wish him well against Oliveira.
But let’s see how it goes.”