Conor McGregor has bold plans for his UFC return.
The previous two-division champion, who hasn’t fought since struggling a devastating damaged leg in his most up-to-date outing towards Dustin Poirier in 2021, has lengthy been anticipated to conflict with fellow The Final Fighter 31 coach Michael Chandler in his subsequent bout. It seems that continues to be the plan with McGregor now teasing his comeback earlier than the tip of 2023.
“December – [Michael] Chandler, I’ve to do it,” McGregor instructed TalkSport on Saturday. “I’ve simply acquired to seize him by the chest [and smack him]. That’s what I’ve acquired to do.”
McGregor’s bold plan to struggle in December will definitely elevate a number of eyebrows, particularly as a result of he nonetheless hasn’t been drug examined below the UFC’s anti-doping program this 12 months.
Below the present guidelines with the testing program administered by america Anti-Doping Company, fighters who drop out of the pool however stay below UFC contract — often attributable to retirement — must endure a minimum of six months of testing earlier than being allowed to compete once more.
That six-month interval will be waived with an exemption, however the one time that’s occurred for the reason that UFC partnered with USADA was in 2016, when ex-heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar was allowed to compete at UFC 200. Lesnar subsequently examined constructive for a banned substance. His win towards Mark Hunt was overturned to a no-contest, and he served a one-year suspension for the infraction.
If McGregor is definitely going to struggle in December, the UFC must supply him the save waiver as Lesnar to skip the six months of required testing.
Whether or not or not he’s preventing earlier than the tip of 2023, McGregor positively has a top level view for his future, hoping Chandler is simply the primary of three marquee matchups.
“Chandler subsequent in December after which [Justin] Gaethje, BMF after which we’ll do the Nate [Diaz] trilogy,” McGregor mentioned.
McGregor has spent a variety of time currently calling for a struggle towards Justin Gaethje after Gaethje scored an emphatic head-kick knockout of Poirier at UFC 291. He’s lastly deserted that plan for his subsequent struggle, however he hasn’t forgotten about an eventual showdown with Gaethje sooner or later.
In fact, McGregor vs. Diaz 3 has been a matchup each fighters have been speaking about since they cut up a pair of fights again in 2016. Of their first encounter, Diaz shocked the world with a second-round rear-naked choke submission to complete McGregor. The Irish famous person acquired his revenge with a majority determination victory in a rematch 5 months later.
McGregor has at all times deliberate on ending the trilogy, whereas Diaz continues to tout his eventual return to the UFC after leaving the promotion in free company, which ultimately led to his latest boxing match towards Jake Paul.
However MMA isn’t McGregor’s solely curiosity. After watching Matchroom Boxing’s Saturday occasion that includes Anthony Joshua’s brutal knockout victory, he acquired within the ring to name out influencer KSI for a bare-knuckle boxing match.
Right here is McGregor’s callout.
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than KSI responded mockingly to McGregor’s callout.
Lmao simply seen this. Jake Paul have to be crying that I’ve acquired Connor on my dick already and I didn’t even must struggle an mma fighter
Lmao simply seen this. Jake Paul have to be crying that I’ve acquired Connor on my dick already and I didn’t even must struggle an mma fighter https://t.co/j78OCskqsP
— ksi (@KSI) August 12, 2023
