Conor McGregor’s UFC return date in TURMOIL as Dana White denies claim of June fight with Michael Chandler
CONOR MCGREGOR’s proposed summer return to the UFC has been thrown into turmoil by Dana White.
The Irishman was seemingly on course to make his eagerly-anticipated octagon return against Michael Chandler at International Fight Week on June 29.
McGregor, 35, seemingly revealed the date for his first outing in over two-and-a-half years on New Year’s Eve – although his announcement has since been refuted by UFC president and CEO White.
When asked if The Notorious will return in June, White said last Saturday: “No.
“When Conor’s ready to fight, you know we’ll announce it. That’s what we do.”
White’s comments came just days after he insisted nothing has been finalised about the Return of The Mac – including Chandler being his next opponent.
He told SportsNet: “So McGregor will be back this year – possibly him and Chandler.
“We’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
Despite the uncertainty over their showdown, which was announced last February, Chandler is still preparing to face McGregor in June.
He told ESPN: “We all know it’s never 100 per cent officially confirmed until we actually step in the octagon.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“But before that: [It’s only official] when the UFC comes out with it.
“My team has been in touch with the UFC, 29 June is what I’m preparing for.”
The former three-time Bellator lightweight champion and fan favourite added: “I have 100 per cent confidence that I’m fighting Conor McGregor on 29 June.
“29 June, we take this dude’s head off. With that being said, it’s a crazy sport. Injuries and sicknesses happen.
“The fight isn’t actually happening until both of us are in the cage.
“One thing I will give [McGregor] credit for: Go back, his entire career, when he says he’s going to be at a fight, has he ever pulled out of a fight?
“It’s always been someone else that’s pulled out of a fight.”
Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the cage since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Chandler, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since his third-round submission loss to Poirier in November 2022.