Conor McGregor's 2024 Return Canceled, Says UFC CEO Dana White
Fans waiting for the highly anticipated return of Conor McGregor will have to wait even longer. According to UFC CEO Dana White, the former multi-weight champion will not make his comeback to the Octagon in 2024. The announcement was made during a post-fight press conference for Dana White's Contender Series, ending months of speculation and anticipation surrounding McGregor's return.
McGregor, who was originally scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at the highly anticipated UFC 303 event in late June, had to pull out due to an unfortunate and untimely injury. He suffered a broken pinky toe during a training session, which forced the matchup to be canceled. Both fighters had built up significant excitement as coaches on season 31 of "The Ultimate Fighter," which commenced filming in February 2023. Despite this momentum, McGregor's much-awaited bout with Chandler was never rescheduled.
In an effort to clarify misinformation, White directly addressed the rumors that McGregor and Chandler might face off in December. "We talked. We talked. We didn't meet up but we talked, and yeah, he wants to fight. So we'll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won't fight this year," White confirmed. This definitively squashes any hope that the fight might still happen before the year ends.
McGregor's absence from the ring has only added to his increasingly checkered career since his peak years. Since making history in November 2016 by becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously, his record has been a shadow of his former self. Over the past seven years, McGregor has notably suffered more setbacks than victories, standing at 1-3 in his latest fights. His lone win during this period came against Donald Cerrone, a fight that lasted only 40 seconds in January 2020.
The storyline around McGregor has been mired not just by his performances but also by his off-ring controversies. Multiple run-ins with the law and recurrent hints about retirement have only added to the saga of a fighter whose career has become as much about his actions outside the Octagon as inside it.
Michael Chandler, McGregor's slated opponent, hasn't had an easier path either. Chandler last stepped into the Octagon in November 2022, losing by submission to Dustin Poirier. Over his last four fights, Chandler also posts a 1-3 record, reflecting a parallel struggle between the two fighters. Despite this, the buildup to a McGregor-Chandler clash carried immense promise, offering both fighters a redemption narrative that, for now, remains unfulfilled.
The delays and uncertainties surrounding this potential blockbuster fight have only fueled fans’ anticipation and, inevitably, their disappointment. As both fighters look to correct their respective narratives, the wait for McGregor's return to competitive fighting extends further into the indefinite future.
For now, the focus remains on what comes next for both fighters. While Dana White's confirmation that McGregor won't fight in 2024 is definitive, the door remains open for 2025. Fans can only hope that by then, the stars will finally align to put McGregor and Chandler in the ring.
Ultimately, this latest development serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability that surrounds even the biggest names in UFC. Both McGregor and Chandler find themselves at crossroads, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their tumultuous careers.