CONOR MCGREGOR’s UFC comeback is hanging by a thread, it’s been claimed.
The Notorious was set to make his long-awaited octagon return later this month in the main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
GETTYConor McGregor is slated to make his UFC return on June 29[/caption]
GETTYBut The Notorious’ comeback clash with Michael Chandler is currently in ‘limbo’[/caption]
GETTYUFC CEO and President Dana White is reportedly drawing up contingency plans in case the fight falls through[/caption]
But fears for his Sin City showdown with Michael Chandler arose last weekend when mixed martial arts’ top promotion abruptly cancelled a pre-fight press conference in Dublin.
Speculation is rife that the Irishman is dealing with an injury, although there is currently no concrete evidence to support the wild theories currently doing the rounds.
The UFC brass were last week positive the Return of the Mac would go ahead as planned, although that optimism is seemingly waning.
That’s according to veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani, who claims UFC 303’s showpiece bout is now in “limbo”.
During the latest episode of The MMA Hour, the Canadian said: “On Monday of last week, I would say optimism level was not very high.
“There was some concern, there was some doubt, there were road blocks.
“I came on this show on Wednesday and said optimism was high.
“There was great positivity, all those words I used. It felt like we had dodged a bullet, it felt like we had turned a corner.
“On Tuesday, I reported that the UFC was sending out feelers, they were reaching out to fighters and managers to see who could possibly be available to either replace the fight.
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“Meaning two new fighters or step in and replace one of the fighters involved to fight on this card.
“Obviously, the fighter we’re talking about is Conor McGregor, because if not, why would Chandler be ready to go on a plane to Dublin?
“So I said that it seemed we were all good, and by Wednesday, no feelers were being thrown out, no one was talking about this, really.
“It seemed as though all systems were a go.
“Yesterday morning I started to hear — as I continued to check in because I know there’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of doubt, a lot of concern about this because it’s such a big fight and because no one involved are speaking about this publicly.
“Chandler did the one interview and I think that squashed some concern.
“But no one is really talking about this — and I found out, via multiple sources, that they are reaching out to people again.
“They are reaching out to managers, they are reaching out to fighters, as potential replacements, as a new fight, as back-ups, as someone stepping in for McGregor, or just as insurance.
“Just in case. All these things are in play.
Inside McGregor’s Notorious lifestyle
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor’s rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
Read all of our latest Conor McGregor stories.
“One step further, here we are, Wednesday, 1:15, the positivity that I talked about exactly one week ago today is nowhere to be found.
“I would say this fight is very much in limbo.
“I would say it’s hanging on and the UFC is working very, very hard right now to figure out a Plan B.
“The Plan B could be someone stepping in to fight Chandler, the Plan C could be a whole new fight.”
The UFC have yet to comment on the status of their International Fight Week headliner.
McGregor, 35, hasn’t given any update on his condition other than a social media post of him lying on a physio bed.
The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy with Dustin Poirier three years ago.