Conor McGregor, the biggest star in MMA, is set to make his long-awaited return to the cage before the end of this year, according to UFC President Dana White. McGregor’s last fight was marred by a leg injury in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. After a substantial recovery period, McGregor is eager to step back into the octagon, and his opponent will be none other than Michael Chandler, his coaching counterpart from the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Official Announcement Coming Soon
During the post-fight press conference of UFC Vegas 73, Dana White confirmed that an official announcement regarding McGregor’s return will be made during the airing of The Ultimate Fighter. White stated, “There’s a fight. He has to get into the USADA pool first. He’s filling out the paperwork. I don’t know how soon that will be done or what’s going on, but that’s his business, that he’s handling with USADA. But it’s all in motion.”
Re-Enrollment in USADA Pool
Since his leg injury, McGregor temporarily left the USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) program and has yet to officially re-enroll. Once he does, he will need to spend six months in the testing pool before becoming eligible to compete again, unless the UFC grants him an exception. McGregor recently stated that he is in the process of re-enrolling, with the intention of returning to action towards the end of the year.
Targeting November or December
If McGregor resumes testing in the coming weeks, he could potentially fight in late November or December. Dana White confirmed that this is the timeline the UFC is aiming for, saying, “That’s what we’re shooting for. Hopefully, we have a big fight in Madison Square Garden in November, and then a big fight in December.”
Fans Eager for McGregor’s Comeback
McGregor’s return is highly anticipated by fans around the world. Despite his injury setback, McGregor remains one of the most charismatic and exciting fighters in the sport. His presence in the cage brings a unique energy and spectacle that transcends the sport of MMA.
As the official announcement draws nearer and McGregor re-enters the USADA pool, fight enthusiasts eagerly await the confirmation of his next bout and the opportunity to witness his return to the spotlight.
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