Conor McGregor issues fresh UFC return update amid Dana White concerns

Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images

Conor McGregor has put out a fresh update on his long-awaited UFC return.

And with that, the 37-year-old has now been tested twice as much as any other UFC fighter this year as he continues to gear up for a potential return.

News then surfaced that the promotion were in talks with ‘The Notorious’ to make his comeback on International Fight Week at UFC 329 on July 11.

And with that, the 37-year-old has now been tested twice as much as any other UFC fighter this year as he continues to gear up for a potential return.

McGregor says he’s returning to ‘knock people out’

Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald

Right now, the expectation is that McGregor will headline the 14th annual International Fight Week in July, a spot already reserved for one of the UFC’s top stars.

There had been early talk of a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz, but Diaz has said he turned it down. Max Holloway is now being mentioned as the likely opponent.

“Same old, yeah. Nothing new,” White replied when asked about any developments.

“Grateful,” he captioned another post showing him grappling with a teammate and locked in an armbar.

The UFC has been facing more pushback from fighters over pay recently, with several high-profile bouts stalling over contract disputes. Jon Jones was reportedly left off the White House card due to pay disagreements, as reports suggested they were unwilling to go beyond $15 million. Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev also fell through under similar circumstances.

This raises questions about whether the promotion can meet McGregor’s financial expectations for his comeback fight.

Read more:

• Tom Aspinall explains why he missed UFC London: ‘He was very surprised’
• New footage shows Khamzat Chimaev controlling a top five middleweight during camp
• Alexander Volkanovski confident he knows Carlos Ulberg’s injury and recovery timeline