- Dana White said Conor McGregor’s return fight is not yet officially booked
- “Notorious” is eager to stay as active as possible in his return
UFC president Dana White has dismissed speculations that Conor McGregor is already booked for a fight with Michael Chandler but confirmed that they are planning to make “Notorious” headline UFC 303.
Nothing is official yet
In a now-deleted Instagram post, “Notorious” generated quite a buzz once again by declaring his bout with Chandler “is on.” As expected, the UFC boss was quizzed to shed light on McGregor’s post.
🚨| Conor McGregor says the fight with Michael Chandler is on for #UFC303 on June 29th. pic.twitter.com/yKguWF5sXs
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 12, 2024
Speaking to the media at the Power Slap 7 post-event press conference, White revealed that the UFC brass is indeed looking at McGregor headlining the UFC 303 event for the International Fight Week in July. However, nothing is concrete yet as of the moment.
“I saw the post,” White said. “I don’t know what the Teletubby means, but it could be. Hopefully. That’s what we want to do.”
“No, I don’t think there’s any surprises,” he added. “I know what you’re talking about and it’s all internet bullsh*t. I can honestly sit here right now and tell you we do not have a deal done for the Conor fight. So, I know there’s lots of rumblings, people expect the f*cking place to go black, and some big announcement, they’re expecting them to walk out – it’s all internet bullsh*t, like NBC News.”
“I can honestly sit here right now and tell you we do not have a deal done for the Conor fight.”
Dana White says no deal is in place for Conor McGregor's return, but he's hopeful for it to happen in June. pic.twitter.com/vwbwjsqywt
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 13, 2024
Conor wants to be active
McGregor’s return is clearly up to the UFC but one thing the former UFC two-division champ could guarantee at this point is his unwavering determination. The way “Notorious” sees it, he should be fighting at least “four” times a year in his return.
“I’m barely touched. I only got clicked once, and then the leg break. That’s it. I’ve put more people to sleep than anesthesia. So as far as freshness, I’m as fresh as it gets in this business… Maybe if I can get a nice roll going, which I’m hoping for, and I get a nice four fights in a year, and then eight fights again next year. Maybe then there’s more trauma, there’s more of wins and losses, or who knows?.. But right now to this day, not an iota. My faculties are there. I’m fresh. I’m sharp. And let me get to go again,” McGregor previously said.
Conor McGregor says he's 'as fresh as it gets' and wants 4-8 fights a year:
"I'm barely touched. I only got clicked once, and then the leg break. That's it. I've put more people to sleep than anesthesia. So as far as freshness, I'm as fresh as it gets in this business.
Maybe if… pic.twitter.com/RnP8Av2Azf
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 13, 2024
As it stands, McGregor has been back in training and is looking healthier than ever. With more than two months away from UFC 303, a massive update about McGregor’s return soon wouldn’t be a surprise.
