Conor McGregor is growing increasingly frustrated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) due to a perceived lack of urgency regarding his highly anticipated comeback.
The Irish superstar has fully committed himself to his training, rededicating his efforts to his fighting career with the same intensity that marked his ascent to global stardom. While his primary focus has been on an eventual return to the octagon, the promotion has seemingly derailed his hopes of featuring at a significant upcoming event, specifically the rumored “UFC White House” show.
McGregor had been confident that he would be fighting at the June 14 event, with a clash against Michael Chandler being his preferred opponent for the bout.
“As I understood it, it was for the White House event,” McGregor stated regarding his potential return. “I was ready for the White House. I know the administration strongly supported me being there. It was set to be McGregor versus Chandler. The narrative was perfect. Chandler is a respectable guy, explosive in the cage, always brings the fight. I’m ‘The Mac’; I would have flown through the air against an opponent like Chandler. It would have been an explosive fight.”
However, Michael Chandler is now scheduled to face Mauricio Ruffy, a considerably younger and more ambitious fighter dubbed a ‘Conor McGregor clone’ due to his similar fighting style, earning comparisons to the Dublin native.
While the Chandler vs. Ruffy matchup promises excitement, McGregor firmly believes he is the one who should be facing the former Bellator lightweight champion on that high-profile card.
“Somewhere along the line, I never said no, or that the money wasn’t enough, or anything negative. It was just, ‘Perhaps we’ll go with you for International Fight Week.’ Okay, no problem. ‘Maybe we’ll hold off on Chandler.’ You know, I do like Chandler. I might have been preparing for him for the past two years, so it feels a bit strange. He deserves a fight after waiting so long, and it would have been a great contest.”
“It makes perfect sense. It’s an easy fight to arrange, and it gets me back in there. But they’ve moved away from it. I’m not going to be overly selective; I just need to get back. I’m incredibly eager to return.”
With the Michael Chandler fight now off the table, Conor McGregor remains desperate to make his comeback very soon.
Anticipating his next fight to be at welterweight, McGregor revealed that he has received numerous offers from the UFC and has accepted every single one, yet without any contract materializing. The 37-year-old is hopeful for positive news soon and envisions himself competing for the BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title.
“‘What weight will Conor fight at?’ I’ll fight at 170, as you know. I’m a big guy, much bigger than before. ‘Okay, we’re going to offer you this opponent.’ Yes, no problem. I accept—day after day after day. No problem. ‘Send the contract.’ ‘Excellent, that’s a great matchup.’ ‘That’s a great matchup.’ ‘That’s a great matchup’ is all you ever hear from me. And no contract ever came. That’s kind of where I am. Still in this limbo… I hope a respectable offer comes through.”
“I’m famously easy to work with. I’m an honest man. I value fairness, and I’m confident we can get it done. The vibes I’m getting, and I don’t mind it at all, point towards the BMF title… Maybe it’s me and [Charles Oliveira] next… I am motivated to compete, to make my return. To showcase my work, demonstrate my level, and show the world where I stand today. So, the BMF title is excellent. It definitely puts a belt on the waist. I am certainly a bad man with a good heart. So, why not claim the BMF title?”
