UFC icon Conor McGregor finds himself in a perplexing situation – unable to secure a booked match. Despite his eagerness to make a comeback after a harrowing leg injury and loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, McGregor faces continuous delays. This raises eyebrows especially with UFC 300 in need of a main event, and the available options dwindling.
In a recent interview, Dana White delved deeper into McGregor’s absence and the challenges in scheduling his return bout. White squarely placed the blame on McGregor, citing his recovery from a severe injury and his substantial personal wealth.
He said: “First of all, he is coming back from one of the nastiest injuries you can come back from. How long was Anderson Silva out? How long was Chris Weidman out when he did it? The guys who break that bone … that’s an issue right there, number one.”
“Number two: Conor McGregor doesn’t need the f—king money. When you don’t need the money, it’s not as easy. I mean, Khabib! Khabib doesn’t need the money, and Khabib retired.”
Addressing McGregor’s fitness and training, White continued: “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 guys in a full camp and he’s ready to go. Conor McGregor has a movie coming out, businesses he’s built — it’s a completely different dynamic when you’re dealing with a guy that has this kind of money.”
To address White’s earlier queries, Silva was back in action in only 14 months after his leg injury (despite failing a PED test en route). Also, Weidman missed 29 months due to unfavorable complications and several operations throughout his recovery. McGregor’s wait will be the longest by the time he competes.
Furthermore, McGregor has been actively involved in the gym, as evident from his social media posts. Even 18 months ago, McGregor showcased his surgically repaired leg on the heavy bag. Recent posts featuring sparring footage along with public demands for a booking, strongly indicate that McGregor is gearing up for a comeback.