Audie Attar, Conor McGregor’s manager, shared that the team is still pushing to arrange the fighter’s return at UFC 300 in April. In case made into reality, Michael Chandler will likely welcome the Irish back into the cage. Yet, as the Paradigm Sports CEO noted, it is just one of the many possibilities for McGregor, with several other fighters expressing intent to fight the MMA superstar.
Despite UFC CEO Dana White telling fans that McGregor won’t be at UFC 300, the 35-year-old’s team is still working to make it possible. To recall, the fighter is recovering from the tibia injury he sustained from his third fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021 and also recently returned to the USADA testing pool. Yet, there’s still no certainty on the exact date of return of the fighter. Nonetheless, Attar shared that it could be in April next year, specifically at UFC 300.
“If it was up to him, he’d be fighting Saturday, so ultimately we’re just trying to make sure we’re doing everything right and following all the standard operating procedures to get him back in the octagon as soon as possible,” Attar said during an interview with MMA Junkie at the World MMA Awards. “UFC 300 would be amazing, and obviously we’re pushing as hard as we can to make that happen. Ultimately, it’s going to be an exciting 2024 for his return.”
As for his next opponent, Attar affirmed the MMA community’s expectations that Chandler would take the role. Nevertheless, the manager admitted that it is still not a certainty, noting that there are other options available for McGregor.
“Look, I think that’s the likeliest opponent,” Attar said. “They just did The Ultimate Fighter together, and I think the fans want to see that fight, but there are other opponents as well. At the end of the day, the UFC is still keen on Michael Chandler and unless something changes there, I certainly think that’s who’s going to be.”
The two took the role of coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, leading many to expect that there would be a fight between them at the end of the season. This, however, didn’t materialize, but the buzz about the bout of the two continues to this day.
