Conor McGregor’s manager updates UFC return

Conor McGregor’s manager updates UFC return

Conor McGregor was supposed to return to the Octagon shortly after coaching opposite Michael Chandler on the 31st edition of The Ultimate Fighter. But the series is just about over and there is still no word on McGregor’s return. 

We don’t know when. We don’t know where. Even who has become a source of speculation.

Why Conor McGregor isn’t likely to fight in 2023

It’s a tried and true formula. Two key UFC fighters coach opposite each other on the promotion’s reality series, The Ultimate Fighter. They go through a few weeks of jawwing with each other on the show, building up hype for an eventual showdown in the Octagon.

Easy peasy. Until one Conor McGregor enters the equation.

Everyone expected that the UFC would likely want the McGregor vs. Chandler match-up to take place on one of their marquee events, such as Madison Square Garden or the year-end pay-per-view in Vegas.

But none of that has come to fruition. And even the Las Vegas event in December would seem to be out of the question because McGregor has to re-enter the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency controlled UFC drug testing program for six months prior to returning.

McGregor suffered an injury in his last fight. While recovering, he withdrew from USADA testing, which is why he now has to jump back in the pool for at least six months without an infraction before fighting again.

As of Friday, July 21, 2023, McGregor’s most recent USADA test was during the third quarter of 2021. If he began testing right now, unless USADA somehow determines he deserves and exception to the rule, the soonest he could fight is January 2024.

McGregor’s manager weighs in on USADA

So what’s the hold up with McGregor getting back in the USADA-run UFC drug testing program? His manager, Audie Attar, recently weighed in on McGregor’s current status.

“We’re in active discussions with the UFC, we’ve spoken to USADA, and we’re going to do things the right way,” Attar told MMAJunkie recently.

“That’s all I’m going to say about that. The thing about Conor McGregor is, people will speculate and stories run wild that are nine times out of 10 very inaccurate and false. So that’s all I’ll say about that. But certainly, he’s looking for a comeback in 2024.”

Not exactly the answer that most fans who want to see McGregor fight want to hear, but it is probably the most realistic answer as to when.

“You can’t rule out the end of the year. But I think just in terms of where we are right now in terms of the date, it’s likely going to be 2024,” Attar continued.

“I think that’s what the UFC has their sights set on, so we’ll see kind of exactly when that will be.”

Attar was just as elusive about who McGregor would fight in his return. He didn’t shoot down the Chandler bout. In fact, he sounded as if that is still the most likely fight for McGregor, but he didn’t rule out moving on to another opponent.

“Until then, we’re just going to do our thing, and go about it the right way. He’s preparing at the end of the day, and that’s the most important thing,” said Attar.

“Chandler makes sense, but so do others. But Chandler is who he has his sights set on. We did that show knowing that that match-up would be next.”

What can we expect when Conor McGregor returns to the Octagon?

It’s a fair question to ask: What is Conor McGregor going to be like when he returns to the UFC?

After all, it has been two years since he last set foot in the Octagon. That was a devastating loss to Dustin Poirier that saw McGregor leave with a serious injury. He’s been rehabbing, he hasn’t been fighting, and he’s still been mired by the constant controversy and accusations that follow him everywhere outside of the ring.

“Everybody’s always doubting him in different ways and criticizing him, and being critical. But ultimately, they’ll see when he steps into that octagon,” Attar said.

“Ultimately, I think they can eat their words then.”

UFC 264: Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor fight highlights