Conor McGregor is eyeing a much-anticipated return to the MMA world after consecutive losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021, one of which caused him a brutal leg injury.
Despite snapping his ankle in half at UFC 264, the Irishman seems to have recovered completely and has expressed his interest in competing at UFC 300 on several occasions. Having conquered the UFC featherweight and lightweight titles, McGregor is also one of the few fighters to have had knockout across three weight classes (145, 155, 170) lbs.
Despite all the precious achievements, McGregor is being looked down upon by former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ appeared in the latest episode of ‘Valuetainment’ and shared several things including McGregor’s future.
He said, “When you’re on the way up, there’s only one direction you’re looking, and that’s just where I want to get to… in order for me to get there, I need that belt.”
“But when you get there, now different things that you did expect, responsibilities are there… those two-three days were two-three days that when you put in, your mind knows in the back of your head. ‘I put those extra two-three days in. These guys can’t touch me. I’m better than everybody.'”
“That decision to plug back in to be able to get back up there. That’s very difficult to do when you don’t have those [ambitions]. You’re not hungry.”
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor has proven to come back stronger after defeats in the past. Following his first UFC loss to Nate Diaz, he avenged it in a rematch before becoming the first-ever double champion in the promotion against Eddie Alvarez.
After losses to Floyd Mayweather (in boxing) and Khabib Nurmagomedov, ‘Notorious’ made a staggering comeback by knocking out Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. It remains to be seen how he returns from the big defeats against ‘Diamond’ Poirier.
When Can Conor McGregor Return To Fighting?
Dana White has announced the headliners up until UFC 299, in March. So, McGregor can only return after that. UFC 300 in April is expected to be a massive event . Now, ‘Notorious’ has cited his intentions of making a comeback at UFC 300.
Dana White, however, hasn’t reflected similar emotions. Meanwhile, McGregor’s coach John Kavanaugh has claimed that they are looking at July to set the suitable return. So, it’s s till too early to predict when Conor McGregor would enter the UFC octagon again. But it is extremely likely that we see him fight in 2024. Meanwhile, McGregor has also been optimistic about another attempt in a pro-boxing match on numerous occasions.