Dana White is setting the record straight on Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303.
In the days since ‘Mystic Mac’ bowed out of his long-awaited clash with Michael Chandler on June 29, rumors have run rampant that McGregor’s exit from the bout had less to do with an injury and more to do with ongoing contract negotiations with the promotion.
Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, White was quick to dispell those rumors, making it clear that McGregor is hurt while adding that the Irishman has never once tried to strongarm the company for more money after signing a deal.
“I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again, Conor McGregor has never done that,” White said. “McGregor never agrees to a fight and then tries to renegotiate his contract or get more money. He’s never done anything even remotely close to that. He is as solid as solid can be when it comes to being a business partner. McGregor is hurt right now. It’s absolutely real.”
Dana White confirms that Conor McGregor is "hurt right now", and shuts down any conspiracies of him withdrawing for other reasons such as a contract dispute.
He also says he's typically "never very optimistic" when it comes to guys like McGregor and Jon Jones making their… pic.twitter.com/wTFgtu0u57
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 17, 2024
While McGregor’s withdrawal is undeniably disappointing for both fans and the promotion, White tends to not invest himself in fighters like McGregor and Jon Jones who have little left to prove inside the Octagon.
“It happens, but the thing with me is once you get the guys who have cemented their legacies, made their money, and done their things… Jon Jones, Conor McGregor. I’m never very optimistic as it is,” White added. “I’m in the fight business. I’ve got to put on fights every Saturday. When those types of guys show up, it’s fun, but I run the business, man.
As for Michael Chandler, White confirmed that the former Bellator champion will continue to patiently wait for McGregor to heal up before (hopefully) rebooking the bout.
“Chandler, I think poor Chandler wants to wait for Conor McGregor,” White said. “You know, whatever he wants to do [we’ll do]. If he wants to get a fight this summer, we’ll do whatever he wants. He’s one of the greatest athletes. I’ve worked with and he’s a good human being. I like him a lot. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll figure out for him. He really is [a good dude.]”
Dana White Comments on Khamzat Chimaev’s Removal From UFC Saudi Arabia Headliner
White also offered a bit of an update on the status of Khamzat Chimaev.
A week before his return to the Octagon for a main event scrap with Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia, ‘Borz’ was forced out of the contest after he became “violently ill.”
“The problem is that we really don’t know,” White said when asked about Chimaev’s status. “Every time this guy gets close to a fight… I saw video footage of him on the ground violently ill and he was hospitalized again. He hadn’t trained for three or four days, I don’t know exactly what the number was, but we could not put him into a fight next weekend.”
Dana White talks Khamzat Chimaev. pic.twitter.com/ilLN5Xmift
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 17, 2024
Recently, Chimaev’s friend and fellow fighter Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov claimed in an interview with Red Corner MMA that ‘Borz’ was suffering from a severe case of food poisoning, though he has not spoken to the undefeated Chechen monster directly.
There is no anticipated return date for ‘Borz’ as of this writing.
