Conor McGregor has not competed for the UFC since July 2021.
However he intends to alter that in the summertime of 2026.
United States President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White have plans in movement for the White Home to host a UFC occasion subsequent June on the South Garden. Preventing on the White Home can be a outstanding milestone for the UFC, particularly with fighter weigh-ins on the Lincoln Memorial and struggle night time walkouts that stretch from the Oval Workplace straight to the Octagon.
And McGregor believes he ought to struggle within the headline bout.
“That’s my focus proper now,” stated McGregor, who just lately withdrew from the Irish presidential election. “There’s lots at stake and I’m very excited for the chance.”
McGregor was scheduled to return in June 2024 in a bout in opposition to Michael Chandler. However citing a toe damage, he withdrew within the eleventh hour. Maybe that’s the reason McGregor’s struggle has not been confirmed by White. But that has not deterred McGregor from boldly stating he’s preventing Chandler on the White Home.
As soon as essentially the most feared fighter on the planet, McGregor, 37, stays the game’s premier star. However a Hollywood way of life has successfully eliminated him from the cage. Along with fame dulling his want to struggle, McGregor additionally required a prolonged rehab after fracturing his tibia and fibula in his final struggle 4 years in the past in opposition to Dustin Poirier.
“I used to be proper there for my final one,” stated McGregor, who misplaced that struggle by TKO after physician stoppage. “A slight lapse in focus led to an damage. I want to right that and present what I’m about. I’m desirous to get again, and we’ll see what the longer term holds after that.”
Even when McGregor isn’t preventing, the game nonetheless revolves round him. As co-owner of Naked Knuckle Preventing Championship, McGregor has introduced a shiny highlight to a rising model. Over the previous yr and a half, he has confirmed to be the proper spokesman for a fight sport the place fighters strike each other with their naked arms.
“These fighters are fearless,” stated McGregor. “And the fights are unforgiving and intense.”
McGregor shall be ringside Saturday night time for BKFC-82, which must be a monumental occasion for the promotion. Headlined by Mike Perry in opposition to Jeremy Stephens in a light-weight heavyweight conflict, McGregor anticipates a sellout on the Prudential Middle in Newark, N.J.
“It’s a testomony to the fast rise of Naked Knuckle Championship Preventing,” stated McGregor, who acknowledged he ultimately plans on preventing for BKFC. “I’ll be watching as an proprietor in addition to a competitor. I’m a fighter by means of and thru – that’s who I’m.”
BKFC founder and president David Feldman has labored carefully with McGregor since they partnered collectively in April 2024. A protracted proponent of naked knuckle preventing, Feldman advocated for the game at a time when its future appeared bleak. But the addition of McGregor, who Feldman believes is one of the best promoter in fight sports activities, has helped rewrite BKFC’s future.
“When Conor talks, individuals hear,” stated Feldman. “He’s been there – he’s been punched in his face and that’s why he will get this a lot. There’s no higher promoter than Conor McGregor. And now that he’s extra targeted than ever, it’s an excellent higher model of Conor.”
Regardless of guarantees of grandeur, McGregor’s future stays filled with hypothesis and uncertainty. There may be appreciable doubt he’ll ever struggle once more, not to mention on a card as excessive stakes because the one deliberate for the White Home. And he nonetheless has political aspirations, which may change his resolution to return to the cage.
However McGregor shall be current for the BKFC-82 occasion, the place he’s assured to make headlines. He additionally vowed to convey BKFC to Boston within the coming yr.
“I’m unbeaten in Boston,” stated McGregor, who received each of his UFC fights at TD Backyard in spectacular style. “I’ve had unimaginable moments in Boston – what a spot. We haven’t been to Boston but, however Boston is certainly taking place. Our future may be very, very shiny, and we’ll see you quickly in Boston.”
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