The MMA world was sent into a frenzy at the end of 2023 when Conor McGregor announced his return to the UFC.
In a post on social media, the Irishman revealed that he would be making a return on June 29 during International Fight Week against Michael Chandler.
However, UFC President Dana White has since said that McGregor will now fight in the autumn and when explaining the reason for the delay, White said it was as a result of the broken tibia McGregor suffered in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier three years ago at UFC 264.
“First of all, he is coming back from one of the nastiest injuries you can come back from,” White said in an interview with Kevin Iole.
“How long was Anderson Silva out when he did it? How long was Chris Weidman out when he did it? The guys who break that bone (are out a long time), so that’s an issue right there, No. 1. No. 2 is, Conor McGregor doesn’t need the f—g money.
"So when you don’t need the money, it’s not as easy. Khabib (Nurmagomedov) doesn’t need the money – Khabib retired.”
White also cited the vast business empire McGregor has built as another possible reason for his delay when it comes to returning to the Octagon.
"Only Conor knows (when he’s ready),” White continued.
“These are questions for Conor McGregor, not me. I know he’s training. I don’t know what level of training he’s doing. I don’t know what level of kicking he’s doing right now. I don’t know any of that stuff.
"I need to know the guy’s in a full camp and he’s ready to go. Conor McGregor has a movie coming out. He’s got businesses that he’s built. It’s a completely different dynamic when you’re dealing with a guy that has this kind of money.”
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