Conor McGregor given two-option ultimatum as UFC return is delayed again

'The Notorious' has fought wrong the celebrated octagon since suffering a decision to long-time lightweight rival Dustin Poirier astatine UFC 264 backmost successful 2021

Michael Chandler has revealed UFC rival Conor McGregor either needs to discontinue oregon travel backmost and look him wrong the cage.

McGregor - a erstwhile two-division champion successful the UFC - hasn't fought since losing to Dustin Poirier astatine UFC 264 backmost successful 2021. He was expected to combat Chandler successful his comeback to the promotion, but pulled retired of his UFC 303 clash owed to an injury.

Speaking to Bloody Elbow astatine Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship's lawsuit successful Marbella past month, McGregor suggested he's scheduled to combat Dan Hooker successful Saudi Arabia. In a little exchange, the BKFC shareholder said: "February 1, Saudi Arabia." Adding: "Dan Hooker" erstwhile asked for his opponent.

While determination are talks of a imaginable combat with 'The Hangman', 'The Notorious' inactive hopes to settee the people with Chandler. “I’d similar it to beryllium Chandler,” McGregor said astir his UFC comeback up of Anthony Joshua’s nonaccomplishment to Daniel Dubois successful September. “I’d similar that to beryllium squared away. I privation him good against Oliveira, but let’s spot however it goes.”

Chandler and McGregor were opposing coaches connected the UFC's world TV bid 'The Ultimate Fighter' past year, but the brace are inactive yet to look disconnected successful the cage. 'Iron' has been waiting astir 2 years for a superfight with 'The Notorious.' Eventually, the American opted to determination connected and rematched Charles Oliveira astatine UFC 309 connected Saturday night. The erstwhile Bellator lightweight champion went connected to lose the contention via unanimous decision, but showed existent bosom passim the lightweight contention and astir secured a sensational knockout successful the last round.

Now, McGregor has been handed a two-option ultimatum aft it was announced that the Irishman's instrumentality to the UFC has been delayed again. “Conor and I request to decorativeness The Ultimate Fighter 31 — if helium comes back,” Chandler said connected the UFC 309 post-fight show. “He either needs to discontinue and conscionable sail disconnected into the sunset oregon helium needs to travel back. So we’ll spot what happens.”

Speaking astatine the UFC 309 property league connected Saturday night, UFC brag Dana White confirmed that McGregor volition not beryllium competing successful February. "Conor is going to travel backmost precocious 25 truthful determination is simply a batch of clip for america to enactment retired who is going to combat Conor. There is nary uncertainty Conor wants to fight, helium hits maine up each the time. I told you guys helium astir apt wasn't going to combat successful 2024 and helium didn't. He's going to combat successful 2025, astir apt astatine the extremity of the year, if it is earlier that is bully for each of us."

A triumph implicit Oliveira would've boosted Chandler's chances of taking connected lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. However, it wasn't to be, and aft the decision to the Brazilian connected Saturday night, 'Iron' decided to erstwhile again telephone retired McGregor. "Joe [Rogan], each I cognize however to bash is propulsion American bad*** caution to the wind. Madison Square Garden, are you not entertained? I had a clump of callouts, I was expected to amusement up tonight, bash my occupation and triumph the fight.

"Forget calling retired Islam, Charles is doing that next. Maybe Max Holoway for the BMF belt. Or Conor McGregor if you tin ever get your location backmost successful bid portion america existent professionals person been keeping the Octagon warm. We are wondering wherever you person been Conor. Come backmost and bushed me, if you can?"