Conor McGregor's UFC Return and Legal Dispute with Manny Pacquiao
Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor has publicly expressed his frustration with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), citing delays in his return to the octagon. The former two-division champion has been sidelined since July 2021 due to a leg injury sustained in a bout against Dustin Poirier, which has kept him from active competition.
Further complicating his comeback, McGregor's re-entry into the competitive arena was postponed because he had not re-entered the drug-testing pool as required by the UFC's anti-doping policy. It wasn't until October that McGregor joined the drug-testing pool, setting the stage for a potential return to fighting on April 8, 2024.
Despite this timeline, McGregor's coach has hinted at a possible summer return for the Irish fighter. This suggestion aligns with McGregor's own eagerness to resume his career, as he feels he has been treated unfairly by the organization that has seen much of its success bolstered by his star power.
Dana White, the president of the UFC, however, has remained tight-lipped regarding any updates on McGregor's return. This silence from the top echelons of the UFC has only added to McGregor's growing impatience and sense of injustice.
In the midst of this uncertainty within the MMA world, McGregor has shifted some of his focus to the boxing ring, challenging Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to a match in Saudi Arabia. McGregor's challenge comes amidst a legal dispute where he claims Pacquiao owes him eight million dollars. The nature of this legal matter remains undisclosed, but it has clearly added fuel to McGregor's fire as he seeks to settle scores both in and out of competition.
McGregor's recent combat sports activity has been sparse, having fought only four times since 2016. His record during this period includes a single win against Donald Cerrone, offset by losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier, the latter defeating him twice.
McGregor's Outspoken Challenges
The outspoken Irishman has not shied away from airing his grievances or calling out potential opponents. McGregor expressed his exasperation with the UFC's handling of his fight schedule, saying, "Give me something. It was supposed to be April, (and before) it was supposed to be December. They never treated anyone – no one has ever been treated (like this) for all the figures I've brought in this game."
He continued to emphasize his plight, stating, "I've been kept from my living for almost three years now," and described his current state as "beyond frustrating." McGregor's plea for clarity is evident as he seeks just one thing: "Give me the date, please. That's it. … I'm waiting, I'm waiting and I'm waiting. My patience is wearing thin."
While Dana White offered no concrete information, simply stating he's "got nothing on either one of those guys right now," McGregor took matters into his own hands by proposing a boxing match with Pacquiao. He provocatively suggested that Pacquiao should move up to a higher weight class, framing it as a question of courage: "How about me vs. Manny here in Saudi," McGregor proposed. "How does that sound? Now, wouldn't you think Manny should have to come up to my weight? Considering it's his sport. Would you think that's what a man would do versus what a mouse would do?"
McGregor didn't stop there, pushing the envelope further by questioning the fairness of the proposed contest: "Tell Manny to grow a set of balls and fight me at a higher weight class," he demanded. He then pondered aloud the conditions of the fight, suggesting that if he were to agree to a smaller weight, it would only be fair for him to utilize a wider array of combat techniques: "Why not? It's his sport. If he wants me to come down to a smaller weight, I should be able to use more of my weapons. I should be able to kick. I should be able to grapple. Shouldn't that be fair?"
While Michael Chandler, another top contender in the UFC's lightweight division, seems to have moved on, eyeing a fight with Nate Diaz instead, McGregor's sights remain firmly set on making a dramatic return to the spotlight. Whether in the UFC octagon or a boxing ring, Conor McGregor continues to make waves, ensuring that the sports world keeps a keen eye on his next move.