UFC is still hopeful that Conor McGregor will make his return soon. McGregor hasn’t been tested by USADA at all this year and has a 6 month wait in the testing pool before he’s even eligible to compete.
His absence from the USADA pool has added fuel to the fire that he indeed intends to rematch Floyd Mayweather in boxing despite both McGregor and White shutting down rumors of negotiations.
Dana White would want to see Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler if given the opportunity. McGregor hasn’t competed inside the Octagon since he broke his leg horribly against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
The former lightweight champion is on the path to rehabilitation, according to White. Once he is back in shape, Dana wants McGregor to compete against Chandler.
At UFC 274, Chandler used a vicious front kick to knock Tony Ferguson out in one of the sport’s greatest finishes. But Chandler was losing before that and his overall score in UFC isn’t all that great. Ever since he switched to UFC from Bellator Chandler went
White told TMZ in an interview: “I really like Chandler vs Conor after Chandler’s last fight. There’s plenty of fights to make. I don’t know if that’s the one.”
“We’ll see what the landscape looks like when Conor gets back. I’m just saying after his last [Octagon] interview, his last fight, Conor’s ranked number 8. [Chandler’s] ranked number 5. It makes a lot of sense right now.”
He went on: “I think he’s getting better. He’s starting to ramp up his training. It makes a lot of sense. I’m hoping the end of this year, early next year.”
McGregor’s manager nixed concerns he would be delaying his return due to starring in Roadhouse remake.
“It fits in perfectly,” Simpson told media at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.
“He’s still on track for a big return next year, but this fits in perfectly in the meantime.”
“The leg is still healing,” Simpson said. “I think there’s a little bit more to go on that, but he’s been training like a madman twice a day, every day. He’s got his full team out there: the McGregor Fast team, all his health and fitness guys, physio, boxing, coaching. He’s been going hard. He’s been training super hard. He’s in amazing shape – just final adjustments to get that leg back where it needs to be.”
Chandler is currently scheduled to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden.