Conor McGregor's 2024 Absence Confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White
Conor McGregor, one of UFC’s most iconic figures, will not return to the Octagon in 2024. This revelation was confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White during a recent post-fight press conference for Dana White's Contender Series.
McGregor, who was originally slated to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in late June, had to withdraw from the highly anticipated bout due to a broken pinky toe sustained during a training session. The news came as a disappointment to fans who had been eagerly awaiting the showdown between McGregor and Chandler.
The excitement for this bout had been building ever since McGregor and Chandler were pitted against each other as opposing coaches on season 31 of "The Ultimate Fighter," which began filming in February 2023. Despite the buildup and fan interest, efforts to reschedule the fight bore no fruit.
Speculation had been rife that McGregor might make a return to face Chandler in December 2023. However, those rumors were put to rest when Dana White stated, "We talked. We talked. We didn't meet up but we talked, and yeah, he wants to fight. So we'll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won't fight this year."
The absence of McGregor extends the Irishman’s inactivity in the ring, which was marked earlier by a series of setbacks and controversies. Since November 2016, McGregor's UFC record has been a disappointing 1-3, with his sole victory in that period coming against Donald Cerrone. Legal issues and multiple retirement announcements have further clouded his recent career trajectory.
Michael Chandler, McGregor’s intended opponent, is no stranger to setbacks himself. Chandler last fought in November 2022, where he suffered a submission loss to Dustin Poirier. His recent run in the UFC mirrors McGregor’s struggles, compiling a 1-3 record over his last four fights.
The buildup to the McGregor-Chandler fight has been tumultuous, filled with delays and uncertainties. UFC fans, who had been waiting for a definitive clash between the two, will have to exercise more patience. As it stands, McGregor’s injury and the lack of a rescheduled bout have added another chapter to the series of disappointments that have plagued his career in recent years.
With McGregor's confirmed absence next year, the focus shifts to what the future holds for both fighters. For McGregor, the road to redemption and proving he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level remains lengthy and uncertain. Even with the setbacks, his name continues to carry significant weight in the UFC, leaving fans and analysts pondering his next move upon his return.
For Chandler, the situation opens up new possibilities for matches in 2024. The fight against McGregor would have been a marquee event, but Chandler will now need to look for other opportunities to bolster his standing in the lightweight division.
As the UFC landscape continues to evolve, both fighters remain pivotal figures, albeit with paths fraught with difficulties and unanswered questions. Fans eagerly await more updates and the potential for these two dynamic fighters to eventually square off in what could be one of the most anticipated fights in recent history.
The UFC community, meanwhile, can only hope that the delays and uncertainties surrounding McGregor’s return will ultimately lead to a compelling and memorable matchup. Until then, the narrative of McGregor versus Chandler remains a story in progress, one that promises to deliver high drama whenever it finally unfolds.