Conor McGregor given two-option ultimatum by UFC star as absence drags on
McGregor has been told that he needs to either retire, or, face a certain UFC star upon his return.
UFC star Michael Chandler has told Conor McGregor that he needs to either fight him or retire from the sport.
Former two-weight champion McGregor hasn't fought since 2021 when he suffered a broken leg in defeat to Dustin Poirier. He has been scheduled to return against Chandler in the Summer of 2024, but a toe injury forced the bout to be scrapped.
Chandler and McGregor were opposing coaches on the UFC's reality TV series 'The Ultimate Fighter' last year, but the pair are still yet to face off in the cage. 'Iron' has been waiting nearly two years for a super fight with 'The Notorious.' Eventually, the American opted to move on and rematched Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on Saturday night. The former Bellator lightweight champion went on to lose the contest via unanimous decision, but showed real heart throughout the lightweight contest and nearly secured a sensational knockout in the final round.
Now, McGregor has been handed a two-option ultimatum after it was announced that the Irishman's return to the UFC has been delayed again. “Conor and I need to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31 — if he comes back,” Chandler said on the UFC 309 post-fight show. “He either needs to retire and just sail off into the sunset or he needs to come back. So we’ll see what happens.”
Speaking at the UFC 309 press conference on Saturday night, UFC boss Dana White confirmed that McGregor will not be competing in February. "Conor is going to come back late 25 so there is a lot of time for us to work out who is going to fight Conor. There is no doubt Conor wants to fight, he hits me up all the time. I told you guys he probably wasn't going to fight in 2024 and he didn't. He's going to fight in 2025, probably at the end of the year, if it is earlier that is good for all of us."
A win over Oliveira would've boosted Chandler's chances of taking on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. However, it wasn't to be, and after the defeat to the Brazilian on Saturday night, 'Iron' decided to once again call out McGregor. "Joe [Rogan], all I know how to do is throw American bad*** caution to the wind. Madison Square Garden, are you not entertained? I had a bunch of callouts, I was supposed to show up tonight, do my job and win the fight.
"Forget calling out Islam, Charles is doing that next. Maybe Max Holoway for the BMF belt. Or Conor McGregor if you can ever get your house back in order while us real professionals have been keeping the Octagon warm. We are wondering where you have been Conor. Come back and beat me, if you can?"
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