Manager: Conor McGregor eyes July return, scouting UFC 249 to verify safety

Conor McGregor could return to the UFC this summer, but he wants to make sure it’s safe to compete amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

According to his manager, Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports Management, the Irish superstar is interested in a potential July return and will scout the logistics of Saturday’s UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Fla. to make sure safety measures are satisfactory.

“Conor is very curious to see whether the health and safety of the athletes and staff are ensured,” Attar told ESPN. “He wants to make sure everyone is taken care of properly.”

The UFC will hold three events in succession on May 9, 13 and 16. The Las Vegas-based company is working directly with the Florida State Boxing Commission to regulate these events. They’ve implemented several safety measures including holding the fights begins closed doors, COVID-19 testing, and no face-offs prior to the fight.

UFC 249 is not just the company’s first event to go down in the U.S. amid global pandemic, but also the first major live sports event of any sort.

Apart from the health and safety, McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC), the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, also has his eyes on Saturday’s fights for other reasons. Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje will compete for the interim lightweight title in the main event. The winner is expected to unify the title with current undisputed champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but according to Attar, McGregor believes he could end up facing the interim champ.

McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) last fought in January, where he stopped long-time Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds of their main event bout at UFC 246. McGregor expressed interest in being active in 2020 and fighting three times this year prior to the pandemic.