Not many would have imagined Conor McGregor honing his guillotine and rear-naked chokes, knowing all too well his fighting style, and personality in the Octagon. Well, it is 2024 folks. As things head into November, ‘The Notorious’ is busy grappling, readying himself for the much vaunted, and speculated, return.
His original return date — at UFC 303 — did not take place after an ugly fallout. However, the Dubliner has cast that aside and is clearly eyeing a massive comeback, well-rounding his fighting skill by steadily working on his ground game. So, who’s he preparing for?
At this point, everything is a speculation. And, the matter is so much under wraps, that even the most plausible of speculations do not shed light.
Earlier this year, the UFC booked the fighter for a main event bout against TUF rival Michael Chandler. Everything was well and good until the Irishman pulled the rug from under the promotion’s legs, and called off the bout due to a broken pinky toe.
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The company was stranded with the last minute ditching. Fortunately for Dana White & Co. Light Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, saved their skin.
Although this left a bad aftertaste, Uncle Dana has confirmed they will consider McGregor’s return once he gives the green signal. Michael Chandler has also moved on and is now fighting Charles Oliveira on the same card as Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic in November.
So, with nobody for the Irishman to beef with, many challengers including Paddy Pimblett, Renato Moicano, Joaquin Buckley, etc. called for a fight against the 36-year-old. But their prayers too, (yes, prayers) have gone in vain.
As of now, the fighter-turned-entrepreneur is waiting for an update from the promotion’s end while teasing his fans with occasional training footage.
Nobody knows what’s next for the charismatic Irishman. Is it going to be a fight, is he going to box, is he just going to party?
What next for the ‘Mystic Mac’?
Earlier this week, Conor responded to a video by WWE champion Cody Rhodes sipping the Dubliner’s famous Proper 12 whiskey. Sharing his appreciation, McGregor hinted at a possible crossover to professional wrestling as he wrote, “See you soon.”
He has shot in another direction too, the hint of which came after DAZN Boxing shared a picture on Instagram with the fighter all gloved up sitting next to a boxing ring.
None of this is an indication of anything concrete. Right now, McGregor still has two fights left in his UFC contract and there are three fights he would like to take.
The first is Michael Chandler, with whom he has been playing cat and mouse for two years now. Then there’s Nate Diaz, with whom he’s tied at 1-1. Then there’s the man who kind of sent him packing for two straight years — Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier.
