MMA News

Tag: Conor McGregor

  • Conor McGregor Opens As Betting Underdog For Potential Logan Paul Boxing Match

    Conor McGregor Opens As Betting Underdog For Potential Logan Paul Boxing Match

    Conor McGregor has not fought in over three years but according to a recent social media post from “The Notorious”, that is set to change in the near future. In one of the most unexpected announcements of the year, the former UFC champ-champ claimed on X that he is already in preliminary talks for a boxing match with social media and WWE star, Logan Paul.

    The Octagon return of the Irishman has been a huge talking point throughout the year and at one point, we were just weeks away from seeing him compete in the UFC once again during International Fight Week. He made the decision to withdraw from his comeback fight against Michael Chandler due to a toe injury and since then, it has been nothing but pushback.

    This is especially true following the verdict from his recent civil sexual assault case where he was found guilty. Hearing any kind of fight news regarding the biggest star in the history of MMA seemed unlikely and though he’s not usually entirely truthful on social media, his word is that this boxing match will happen and after that, he will look to return to the UFC.

    McGregor has of course competed inside the ring once before when he boxed Floyd Mayweather in 2017 and was stopped in the tenth round. Paul has also stepped through the ropes for an exhibition with Mayweather, two fights against KSI and one against Dillon Danis which was his latest outing back in October last year, giving him a pro record of 1-1 after beating comfortably beating McGregor’s former teammate.

    Though the fight is yet to be confirmed, BetOnline are already offering betting odds on the contest and the current line is surprising to say the least. McGregor comes in as the underdog in the matchup at +120. Paul, on the other hand, comes in at a -150 favorite in odds that likely say more about the Irishman’s current public perception than the boxing ability of his opponent.

  • Jake Paul Reacts To Conor McGregor Revealing Talks For Logan Paul Boxing Match: ‘Now It All Makes Sense…’

    Jake Paul Reacts To Conor McGregor Revealing Talks For Logan Paul Boxing Match: ‘Now It All Makes Sense…’

    Should it come to fruition, Jake Paul has no doubt that his brother would get the better of former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor inside the boxing ring.

    At the end of a year in which he was found liable of assault on a woman who accused him of rape, McGregor’s combat sports future remains uncertain.

    The Irishman hasn’t competed in any form since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. Post-recovery, he initially had a return announced opposite Michael Chandler toward the start of 2023. But their run as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, as well as multiple rumored and official fight dates, passed by without their matchup reaching the cage.

    While that’s left many doubting McGregor’s comeback plans, the Dublin native has reiterated his intention of sharing the Octagon with Chandler ahead of 2025. A recent social media post, however, would suggest that’s not his immediate priority.

    On X this week, “The Notorious” claimed he’s agreed to an exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul, put together by the billionaire Ambani family for an event in India.

    Reacting to that revelation, Logan’s younger brother, fellow YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, alleged that McGregor’s team have also been attempting to negotiate a clash in the ring with him.

    “Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor & his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us,” Paul wrote on X.

    Paul continued, outlining what would need to happen for him to accept a showdown with the “washed” UFC star.

    “As we told them them privately & I’m now saying it publicly…the only way we’re willing to explore me vs Conor in a pro boxing / mma fight is if Dana White / UFC are at the table directly or make it clear they are ok with discussions.

    “Conor is washed. Needs the Paul’s. Logan by however he wants.”

    It remains to be seen how much truth there is to McGregor’s post. Logan, who has recently thrived as a professional wrestler with WWE, is yet to comment on the claim.

  • Ilia Topuria On Conor McGregor Dismissing Fight Rumors: ‘I Don’t Fight Nor Am I Interested In Fighting With A Rapist’

    Ilia Topuria On Conor McGregor Dismissing Fight Rumors: ‘I Don’t Fight Nor Am I Interested In Fighting With A Rapist’

    In a recent social media post, Conor McGregor outlined plans for the future of his career in combat sports. “The Notorious” claims that he is in “preliminary agreements” for a return to the boxing ring against Logan Paul in India. Once that is settled, he will turn his attention back towards making a long awaited return to the UFC.

    McGregor also stated in the post that there is no truth to any rumors of him coming back to face off with the promotion’s current featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria.

    “El Matador” is a huge star, but while the fight might make sense in terms of how big it would be following the comments exchanged by the two men, it doesn’t appear to be a realistic option for either right now.

    Following the clarification from the often cryptic McGregor on X, Topuria has provided his own response to “The Notorious.”

    Posting several hours later on his own X account, the 145-pound king posted a scathing message aimed at the Dublin native, which suggests that even if the fight was on the table, he wouldn’t be interested in it.

    Topuria’s post makes reference to the recent verdict of McGregor’s civil case, where he was found liable of assault after being accused of raping Nikita Hand.

    “The rumors of bout with mchicken are false. I don’t fight nor am I interested in fighting with a rapist,” Topuria wrote.

    https://twitter.com/Topuriailia/status/1869010107994194407

    Topuria has recently declared that he intends on moving up to lightweight in the near future but doesn’t plan on vacating the featherweight title in order to do so.

    McGregor, meanwhile, recently posted the following statement on X after being threatened with contempt of court over the comments he shared on social media relating to the verdict of the case.

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1868939287657619621
  • Michael Chandler Lays Down Ultimatum To Conor McGregor Regarding UFC Fight In 2025

    Michael Chandler Lays Down Ultimatum To Conor McGregor Regarding UFC Fight In 2025

    Michael Chandler has spent a long time waiting for the Octagon return of Conor McGregor but it appears that now, he has drawn a line in the sand. “Iron” Mike has already had to go past the deadline that he set for “The Notorious” once before which led to him returning at UFC 309.

    When the UFC offered him the opportunity to rematch Charles Oliveira at Madison Square Garden last month, he knew that it was the right time to put the McGregor fight on hold and step back inside the Octagon. The fight didn’t go his way but that doesn’t seem to have impacted whether he will get the opportunity to face off with the Irishman if he ever does come back.

    McGregor recently claimed, after being found guilty of sexual assault in a civil case, that he’s currently working on a boxing match against Logan Paul and will turn his attention towards the UFC after that. With the former champ-champ being impossible to predict or decipher at times, Chandler is smartly making his own calls so that his career won’t be dictated by a potential opponent.

    Speaking in a recent interview with Lucky Block, he revealed that he has a new timeframe in mind for the long awaited clash with McGregor. Chandler was happy to have some time off before he came back to face Oliveira but after returning in November, he wants to get back to regular activity with or without his long awaited dance partner.

    “If Conor doesn’t come back in the first half of 2025, I will be fighting someone else,” Chandler said. “There are other fights I’m interested in. I didn’t fight for two years but that wasn’t all waiting, I wanted to take some time and give my body a break after my first five fights in the promotion which included a title fight and fight of the nights and the fight of the year.

    “My body needed a little bit of a break and I was happy to. Part of me was hanging onto this Conor thing but also kind of a little bit of gamesmanship, enjoying the time off, letting my body heal up a little bit,” Chandler continued. ” It was all supposed to come to fruition with a really great performance, getting my hand raised against Charles, becoming the number one contender, fighting for the title. Obviously that didn’t work out, but we continue to press on no matter what.”

  • Conor McGregor Reveals Logan Paul Exhibition Boxing Match Is In The Works

    Conor McGregor Reveals Logan Paul Exhibition Boxing Match Is In The Works

    While uncertainty surrounds his return to the Octagon, it seems that UFC star Conor McGregor is eyeing an opportunity inside the ring instead.

    McGregor hasn’t competed in any form of the fight game since UFC 264 in July 2021, where his main event trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier came to a shocking conclusion at the end of round one when the Irishman suffered a gruesome broken leg.

    After a lengthy period of recovery on the sidelines, the Irishman had his return to action announced toward the start of 2023, as he was penciled in to face opposition TUF coach Michael Chandler. That is still yet to come to fruition, however, with multiple rumored and one official fight date falling through across the past two calendar years.

    While that’s left some doubting that “The Notorious” will make the walk again — a sentiment that only gained traction after he was found liable for assault in a civil case last month after being accused of rape — McGregor has continued to dismiss those claims and set his sights on a 2025 comeback.

    But in the new year, the UFC might not be his first port of call…

    The Dublin native took to social media this week, first to dismiss rumors of an Ilia Topuria fight inside the Octagon. And in the same post, McGregor suddenly announced that an exhibition boxing match with YouTuber-turned-pugilist and professional wrestler Logan Paul is in the works.

    He also named a location, claiming the Ambani family is looking to put the bout together for an event in India. The Ambani family topped the 2017 Forbes list of Asia’s richest families with a net worth of $44.8 billion.

    “The rumors of a bout with topurio (Ilia Topuria) are false. I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India,” McGregor wrote on X. “I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon.”

    Paul, like his younger brother Jake, has experience in the exhibition and crossover boxing game. The 29-year-old battled fellow online star KSI twice as YouTube boxing began to rise to prominence over five years ago.

    Since then, “The Maverick” has fought a shared opponent with McGregor in Floyd Mayweather. After going the distance in their exhibition, Paul returned to the ring last October to defeat Dillon Danis in a professional affair before turning his attention to a pro wrestling career in the WWE.

    McGregor, meanwhile, has not appeared in the ring since being stopped by Mayweather in their lucrative 2017 crossover clash, which marked “Money’s” 50th and final professional victory.

  • Joe Rogan Puts Conor McGregor’s Decline Down To ‘Getting Hit In The Head A Lot’

    Many fight fans agree that Conor McGregor hasn’t been the same fighter — or person — since earning generational wealth from his high-profile boxing match with Floyd Mayweather years ago.

    Once tied to a potential bout with Michael Chandler this year, McGregor’s return to the Octagon was ultimately scrapped. Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s insistence that the irishman will fight again, the former two-division champion has been absent from competition since July 2021, when he suffered a gruesome leg injury.

    Notably, McGregor has won only one fight since November 2016, posting a 1-3 record during that time.

    During a conversation with YouTuber Derek Munro of More Plates More Dates on the Joe Rogan Experience, the color commentator weighed in on McGregor’s ongoing controversies, including a recent guilty civil verdict for sexual assault in Ireland and his turbulent behavior outside the cage. Rogan speculated that McGregor’s decline may be attributed to head trauma and drug use, including alleged cocaine use.

    “I don’t know if Conor’s ever going to fight again,” Rogan said. “I don’t know the real details of that case. I know his version of it, her version of it, and what played out in court. But the reality is, that guy’s partying, and he’s partying real hard. He talked about it in the court case. He was talking about cocaine. That was the whole thing: ‘We were all doing cocaine and we were f**king.’”

    Munro referenced recent viral videos showing McGregor seemingly under the influence, but Rogan emphasized that these allegations remain unconfirmed.

    “A lot of fighters have sustained significant damage over the course of their careers, and there’s no way to avoid it,” Rogan continued. “We’ve all seen Conor get beat up and knocked out. We’ve seen his sparring footage with elite fighters. You’re getting hit in the head. A lot. And for many fighters, especially toward the end of their careers, drugs become an outlet.”

    Rogan highlighted the cumulative toll of years of training and fighting, explaining how consistent head trauma disrupts brain chemistry and can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

    “You’re not supposed to get punched in the head a thousand times a year,” Rogan said. “That’s the reality of consistent training. Then you mix in a little bit of coke, and you’re feeling good again. I bet it becomes addictive.”

    He also drew parallels to other fighters with tumultuous personal lives, such as Jon Jones, emphasizing the wild and extreme nature of many elite athletes.

    “The guy obviously likes extreme things, which is why he’s such a great fighter,” Rogan noted. “They’re wild people.”

  • Conor McGregor Threatened With ‘Contempt Of Court’ Ruling For Post-Civil Court Case Social Media Activity

    Conor McGregor Threatened With ‘Contempt Of Court’ Ruling For Post-Civil Court Case Social Media Activity

    Though Nikita Hand has already won her sexual assault civil court case against Conor McGregor, the process still has several steps left to complete. In the latest update, it was ruled that the UFC star would have to pay some of Hand’s legal costs which are expected to be around €1.5 million.

    On Thursday afternoon, High Court judge Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled that McGregor will have to pay the full cost of his side of the case though Ms Hand will have to pay for her costs for the civil case against James Lawrence who was not found guilty of assaulting her in December 2018. The judge also threatened that there could be a ruling of contempt of court filed against “The Notorious” due to some of the comments he has made on social media.

    McGregor posted once the verdict was made official where he threw several accusations towards the court and ruling which have since been deleted. He also claimed that he would be appealing the decision. “The social media post was constructed to be an attack on the jury and cannot be tolerated,” said Mr Justice Owens.

    “I haven’t decided on that, but I can if I want to instigate a proceeding against Mr McGregor for contempt of court which could result in a fine. He is a very rich man who could well afford to pay a fine.”

    John Gordon SC argued on behalf of Ms Hand that due to McGregor’s conduct throughout the case, the Irishman would have to pay costs at the highest level though he did not make the same statement regarding Mr Lawrence.

    “This is precisely what it intended to do. Mr McGregor said he didn’t believe Ms Hand and described the court as a ‘kangaroo court’ and it is a direct insult to the jury and I believe the court should not let this go.”

    He believes that Ms Hand should get the full extent of her costs paid for by McGregor with no order for costs on the Lawrence side of the case.

  • Proper No. Twelve Whiskey Ditches Conor McGregor Name In Light Of Sexual Assault Civil Case 

    Proper No. Twelve Whiskey Ditches Conor McGregor Name In Light Of Sexual Assault Civil Case 

    Conor McGregor’s legal turmoil continues to fuel a series of ongoing fallouts, and it seems there are no signs of it slowing down.

    “The Notorious” was found liable by a jury in a civil case at the Dublin High Court for the assault of a woman named Nikita Hand in December 2018. He was ordered to pay €248,000 (approximately $257,000) in damages to the victim.

    According to a recent report by the Irish Independent, Proximo Spirits has announced that it will no longer associate McGregor’s name or likeness with any promotional material for the renowned alcoholic brand Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. This decision follows the court ruling against the Irishman.

    The former two-division UFC champion launched his alcoholic beverage brand in September 2018, debuting in both Ireland and the United States. Named after the Crumlin neighborhood in Dublin 12, where he was raised, the brand quickly gained traction.

    In 2021, it was revealed that McGregor and his business partners sold their majority stake in the company to Proximo Spirits, which already held a 49% share. The deal was reportedly valued at an astonishing $600 million.

    Even after the takeover, Proximo Spirits continued to feature McGregor in their promotional materials on social media until today, when they severed ties.

    https://twitter.com/ProperWhiskey/status/1568673060257157120

    The fallout with Proximo Spirits dealt another significant setback to McGregor’s public image, coinciding with the announcement from several major European retail chains that they would no longer carry products linked to the UFC superstar in the wake of his assault conviction.

    IO Interactive, the developers behind the popular Hitman video game series, were the first to cut ties, revealing they would be halting their collaboration with McGregor. Despite his recent addition to the game, they confirmed they would be removing all content featuring the fighter in light of the civil case verdict.

    Meanwhile, other businesses connected to McGregor are reportedly facing mounting pressure to sever their ties with his products.

  • Irish Retailer Delists Drinks Associated With Conor McGregor After Verdict In Sexual Assault Civil Case

    Irish Retailer Delists Drinks Associated With Conor McGregor After Verdict In Sexual Assault Civil Case

    Irish retail giant Musgrave are the latest company to distance themselves from UFC star Conor McGregor following the recent verdict of his sexual assault civil case. Nikita Hand won her case on Friday after claiming that “The Notorious” had sexually assaulted her at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin in December of 2018.

    IO Interactive were the first company to announce that as a result, they would be ceasing their collaboration with McGregor who had appeared in the popular video game series, Hitman. They stated that they would be removing all content features the Irishman after he was recently added into the game this month.

    The Musgrave-group, which owns Irish brands Supervalu, Centra and Donnybook Fair, have since followed suit. The Currency reported the news, stating that though there hasn’t been an official statement produced by Musgrave, a notice listed several products as being “delisted”.

    Away from the Octagon, McGregor has achieved a lot of success via his varies ties to the alcohol industry. Proximo Spirits purchased the majority stake in his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey for roughly $600 million back in 2021.

    McGregor has since turned his attention to growing Forged Irish Stout which has also gone on to be a huge brand that is available in major retailors and regularly appears as a sponsor for combat sports events. It remains to be seen whether other major retailers or companies with ties to McGregor will also decide to withdraw the products and collaborations that are associated with the former UFC champ-champ.

  • Islam Makhachev On Jury Finding Conor McGregor Liable For Assault After Rape Allegation: ‘Many More Facts To Come Out’

    Islam Makhachev On Jury Finding Conor McGregor Liable For Assault After Rape Allegation: ‘Many More Facts To Come Out’

    One UFC fighter who has no love lost for Conor McGregor has let his voice be known after the result of the Irishman’s recent civil trial in Ireland.

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev took to social media after McGregor was found liable for assault of a woman that took place in late 2018. Makhachev praised the court case’s ruling against the Dubliner and claimed there is more about the former two-division UFC titleholder that has yet to come out.

    “It was a matter of time till this filthy b****** be exposed,” Makhachev posted on X. “Alcoholic, drug junkie and rapist. Many more facts to come out, trust me!”

    Islam Makhachev Praises ‘Exposure’ Of Conor McGregor After Jury Rules Against Him In Sexual Assault Case

    A jury at Dublin’s High Court ruled that McGregor must pay €248,000 ($257,000) to Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room.

    According to Hand, the Irishman raped her in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin on Dec. 9, 2018, following the two meeting at a Christmas party. McGregor is alleged to have restrained Hand on a bed and bruised her.

    The UFC fighter and his team have vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that McGregor and Hand’s interactions were completely consensual and that Hand is trying to exploit the situation for profit.

    Makhachev is the protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the retired undefeated former UFC lightweight champion and longtime rival of McGregor’s. “The Eagle” and “The Notorious” are famous for a highly intense rivalry that led up to their infamous bout at UFC 229 — and, more infamously, the bout’s aftermath.

  • Conor McGregor Reacts To Jury’s Verdict In Sexual Assault Case: ‘I Will Be Appealing’

    Conor McGregor Reacts To Jury’s Verdict In Sexual Assault Case: ‘I Will Be Appealing’

    Conor McGregor plans to challenge the ruling of a civil lawsuit in Ireland, where he was held liable for sexual assault.

    On Friday, a jury ruled in favor of Nikita Hand, who accused former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her in December 2018. The Dublin high court found McGregor culpable for the offense and ordered him to pay €248,000 (roughly $257,000) in damages to the complainant.

    While “The Notorious” chose to remain silent as he left the court after the verdict, he later took to X to announce his intention to contest the ruling. He claimed that the jury had been denied crucial evidence that had been previously reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    “I will be appealing today’s decision,” McGregor wrote in a now-deleted tweet. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you for all my support worldwide.”

    Last week, McGregor vehemently denied the allegations against him in his testimony at the high court, where he was accused of sexually assaulting Hand in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin, on December 9, 2018.

    Hand sought compensation across multiple categories, including general, special, aggravated, and punitive damages, citing both the incident itself and her inability to work due to the mental health toll it took.

    She claimed that McGregor held her down on a bed, leaving her unable to defend herself. Meanwhile, the Irishman’s defense team steadfastly argued throughout the trial that Hand was attempting to manipulate the situation, benefiting from a skewed and false portrayal of what had transpired.

  • Conor McGregor Found Liable For Assault By Jury In Sexual Assault Civil Court Case

    Conor McGregor Found Liable For Assault By Jury In Sexual Assault Civil Court Case

    A woman who accused Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her in 2018 has won her civil case against the UFC fighter in court.

    “The Notorious” has been at the center of a serious sexual assault case in recent weeks, with accusations from Dublin-based hairdresser Nikita Hand, who also implicated a person named James Lawrence in the ordeal.

    A jury at Dublin’s High Court found that McGregor had assaulted Hand on Friday. The Irishman made no comment as he quickly exited the court following the verdict.

    https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1860008568835236006

    Hand, meanwhile, did address the media in the aftermath, describing her ordeal in the years leading up to the court win this week.

    “I would like to start off by saying I’m overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everybody,” she said. “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be: Speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.”

    McGregor testified at the High Court in Dublin last Wednesday, addressing a civil lawsuit in which he was accused by Hand of raping her in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin on Dec. 9, 2018.

    For the first time during the trial, the former two-division UFC champion took the stand and testified that his encounter with Hand was entirely consensual, following prior online conversations, and firmly denied ever coercing anyone into an act against their will.

    “Your client is full of lies,” McGregor said to Hand’s lawyer. “Everything is a lie.”

    McGregor also categorically rejected any claims of inflicting bruising on Hand. The UFC icon was accused of restraining her on the bed, with the alleged victim unable to fight back. However, the Irishman’s defense team consistently argued that the accuser was attempting to exploit the situation and profit from a distorted version of events.

    Hand claimed that on the evening in dispute, she was with McGregor and that his behavior grew progressively aggressive after they went to the hotel room following a Christmas party. She stated that she and a woman named Danielle had consumed drugs and alcohol offered by the UFC fighter.

    The allegations in question first emerged in December 2018, but no charges were brought against McGregor until January 2021, following a two-year investigation by Irish authorities. Despite the lengthy probe, McGregor was not prosecuted.

    A personal injury lawsuit was filed in the same month, and in October 2023, a civil trial date was set, with Hand seeking and now being awarded damages amounting to €248,603 (£206,000).

  • Conor McGregor Gives First Reaction To Michael Chandler’s UFC 309 Loss: ‘Mad Little Fellow’

    Conor McGregor Gives First Reaction To Michael Chandler’s UFC 309 Loss: ‘Mad Little Fellow’

    Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor gave some surprising props to Michael Chandler a couple of days on from his defeat this past weekend.

    Chandler made the walk for the first time in two years at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, bringing an end to his long wait to share the cage with McGregor by running it back with ex-lightweight kingpin Charles Oliveira instead.

    “Iron” had previously come inches away from defeating “Do Bronx” and becoming a UFC titleholder in just his second Octagon outing. A miraculous comeback from the Brazilian on that occasion, however, spoiled Chandler’s plans.

    And in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, Oliveira did so once again by establishing himself as the likely next in line for either Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan.

    Oliveira’s second victory over Chandler came in much more convincing fashion, with “Do Bronx” dominating the American en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. The former Bellator champ did have his moments late in the day, and they were seemingly enough to get some respect from “The Notorious.”

    After remaining silent on fight night, McGregor finally gave his reaction to Chandler’s display in a now-deleted X post Monday night.

    Conor McGregor on Michael Chandle

    “Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight,” McGregor wrote. “Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!”

    McGregor’s comment was without a response to Chandler’s post-fight callout. Despite his previously failed wait, “Iron” once again had the Dubliner’s name on his lips as he pursues the lucrative showdown opposite his fellow TUF 31 coach in 2025.

    For now, the Irishman has matters to attend to in the court room. He’s currently embroiled in a civil action trial at Dublin’s Irish High Court after being accused of sexual assault.

  • Khabib’s Coach Picks Paddy Pimblett To Beat Conor McGregor

    Khabib’s Coach Picks Paddy Pimblett To Beat Conor McGregor

    There aren’t many fighters that are able to arrive in the UFC and make an immediate impact by being loved or hated. Even fewer are able to then back it up inside the Octagon in order to make a real name for themselves in the sport.

    Two fighters that have done that and continue to produce regular talking points are the biggest star in the history of the sport, Conor McGregor, and one of the most high profile names to follow on from “The Notorious”, Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett. Pimblett has been openly critical of “The Mac” in the past but the two men ever meeting inside the Octagon seems unlikely.

    That being said, Pimblett is continuing to defy expectations with his six-fight win streak in the UFC’s lightweight division which McGregor was formally the champion of. Given the huge profile’s of both men, there’s no denying that a fight between them would be absolutely huge if it even came close to happening.

    Though both men have got their critics, it’s hard to argue with what McGregor has done in the sport as the UFC’s first-ever two-weight champion but that was a long time ago at this stage. As a result, a very experienced coach believes that Pimblett would have the advantage over the Irishman as of right now.

    AKA head coach Javier Mendez previously cornered against McGregor in the biggest UFC fight of all time where he returned to face Khabib Nurmagomedov. In a recent interview with Canada Casino, Mendez stated that he isn’t confident that “The Notorious” is the same guy that produced some of the most memorable moments in UFC history anymore.

    “Paddy and McGregor would be a great fight not just in England but the US too. It’d be a great fight, and I’d favor Paddy because he’s more of a fighter now and I’m not sure if McGregor is anymore. He may come back and prove us wrong but I favor Paddy because of where his state of mind is with fighting. We don’t know if he’s in or out. He might be fantastic in camp but I’m betting not based on what I hear in the inner circles, I’m betting he’s not taking it seriously.”

  • Michael Chandler Targets ‘Craziest’ Fight Run Against Makhachev, Holloway, & McGregor

    Michael Chandler Targets ‘Craziest’ Fight Run Against Makhachev, Holloway, & McGregor

    Michael Chandler has been out of action for almost two years, having last fought Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Outside of TUF 31, he’s spent most of this time waiting for Conor McGregor, but after the upheaval around UFC 303, he finally moved on to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

    Following his razor-close split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, Oliveira is currently the #2 ranked UFC lightweight in the world. So, defeating him should put Chandler in line for a title shot.

    Chandler fought frequently in the UFC since his debut against Dan Hooker. It appears he wants to compensate for the two-year hiatus by fighting as many high-profile names as possible before 2025.

    Chandler recently appeared on the SHAK MMA YouTube channel for an interview. When asked if he would fight McGregor or Makhachev after a win over Oliveira, “Iron” stated that getting the UFC lightweight title is his priority. He also feels the need to settle the rivalry with “The Notorious” which began with TUF 31.

    “The title is the number one goal but there is some unfinished business. Chandler vs. McGregor TUF 31, it needs, that chapter needs to close to some point. Conor wants that fight. He’s talked about it openly in public, in interviews. Obviously, I want that fight. I’m not focused on it right now. I’m focused on Charles, but it’ll be interesting you know. Because you also got to remember, Islam is fighting probably in January, could be late January. He’s gonna go into Ramadan in February, all of March, won’t be able to go till training camp, won’t be able to fight till June July. I’m not trying to wait till June or July. So, Conor could sneak in there, we could see Chandler vs. Oliveira, Chandler vs. Conor, Chandler vs. Islam, Chandler vs. Max. The craziest four or five fight-run in a 12-month period that anyone’s ever seen.”

    Besides Makhachev and McGregor, “Iron” is also interested in fighting former UFC featherweight champion and the reigning BMF champion Max Holloway in 2025. Fans have been eagerly waiting to see this fight too, as both fighters boast an aggressive, fearless, and striking-heavy fighting style.

    It’ll be interesting to see how many superfights Chandler can be a part of before the end of 2025. For now, he needs to focus on beating Oliveira, who already holds a TKO win over him.

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

    Even if you’ve lived under a rock, you might have heard about the conflict between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC lightweight superstars fought for the title in October 2018, and soon after submitting the Irishman in the fourth, Nurmagomedov jumped over the Octagon to attack Dillon Danis.

    UFC 229 ended with one of the most heated brawls in the promotion’s history. To this day, “The Eagle” has never tried to mend his relationship with McGregor and they’re likely rivals for life.

    Nurmagmedov’s close relationship with former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier is also no secret. The duo makes for a popular bromance in MMA circles and over the years, their bond has strengthened considerably. So much so that Nurmagomedov and Cormier consider each other as close as family.

    During the latest episode of 3 Rounds on his YouTube channel, Cormier admitted to no longer approaching McGregor for interviews and other media interactions. The reason? “The Notorious” conflicts with “The Eagle.”

    “I don’t try to request McGregor for interviews. I don’t think that I would get him but I’m just saying it’s not a request I make every time I’m there. But this like, part of the course for these dudes. Because honestly, Khabib’s not just a teammate. He’s family. And they’re like that with everyone and they feel like if someone’s in conflict, especially at the level that Jones and I. Jones and I were in conflict, they’re very stern in the side they pick. And it’s kind of refreshing because most people aren’t like that guys. They’re just not, especially us, as Americans. So, watching that, that wasn’t crazy for me. Dude, he really is the man. Khabib is the man. He’s got to be one of the most genuine humans I’ve ever met.”

    The former UFC heavyweight champ also highlighted the time when Nurmagomedov claimed Jones would never be a friend because of the latter’s conflict with DC. Cormier acknowledged that the undefeated UFC lightweight’s philosophy is not very common in the United States, but he agrees with it now.

    Both Cormier and Nurmagomedov have retired from MMA, but it is safe to assume their close friendship will remain strong behind the scenes.

  • Harrowing Details Of Sexual Assault Allegation Against Conor McGregor Emerge In Court

    Harrowing Details Of Sexual Assault Allegation Against Conor McGregor Emerge In Court

    Disturbing details surrounding a sexual assault accusation against former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor have recently emerged in court.

    On Tuesday, “The Notorious” appeared before the Irish High Court in Dublin, where Justice Alexander Owens briefed the jury on the alleged 2018 sexual assault case involving the UFC superstar and another man, James Lawrence.

    As reported by the Irish Mirror, Dublin-based hairdresser Nikita Ni Laimhin accused McGregor and Lawrence of sexually assaulting her on Dec. 9, 2018. The judge noted that the allegations claim the pair had “in effect, raped her” after offering her a ride home from a Christmas party.

    John Gordon SC, representing Ní Laimhin, told the court that the complainant and the former UFC champion were acquainted, as they had interacted multiple times on social media. The court heard that McGregor reportedly brought a bag of cocaine, which he allegedly shared with Ní Laimhin and her friend.

    The group, including Ní Laimhin, McGregor, his security team, and others, proceeded to a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where they were reportedly drinking. At one point, McGregor is said to have moved into a bedroom and gestured for Ní Laimhin to follow. She allegedly expressed that she did not want to engage in sexual activity as she was on her period.

    The UFC fighter is accused of then pinning her down on the bed, with the alleged victim physically unable to resist him. However, the Irishman’s legal team contend that the accuser is attempting to extort him through her version of events.

    A thread of live updates provided on X by the Irish Mirror’s Paul Healy revealed the nature of the accusations, detailing some of the injuries McGregor is accused of inflicting on the woman.

    The current case can’t result in a criminal prosecution for McGregor, with the judge reminding the jury on Tuesday that the alleged victim is seeking damages through civil action.

    McGregor has not stepped into the Octagon since suffering a leg fracture during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The former two-division UFC champion was set to make his much-anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 this past June. However, he was compelled to withdraw after sustaining an injury just weeks before the fight.

  • Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria

    Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is full of praise for featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria following this weekend’s pay-per-view event.

    Topuria cemented his grip on the crown at 145 pounds on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined UFC 308 opposite fan-favorite legend Max Holloway eight months on from his knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.

    Despite being faced with a previously indestructible chin, “El Matador” vowed to put Holloway down for the first time. And against the predictions of many, the 27-year-old did just that after connecting with a vicious left hook in round three.

    With the result, Topuria has added a successful defense to his reign, remained undefeated in MMA, and staked a strong claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year accolade.

    Among those running out of superlatives for the Spaniard is Cormier, who analyzed where the champ sits among the all-time featherweight greats during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.

    Plenty of comparisons have been made between Topuria and Conor McGregor in recent times, and the Irishman has even dismissed the reigning titleholder’s talents compared to his featherweight iteration.

    “DC,” however, sees parts of “El Matador’s” game that go above and beyond McGregor’s.

    “I don’t know if we have ever seen a guy at 145 that punches like this dude. He hits like no one I’ve ever seen before,” Cormier said. “Conor McGregor had great power at 145, but Conor McGregor I don’t think had the skills that Ilia Topuria has in terms of his pure boxing, without going and fighting a pure boxing match.

    “I was talking to some of the people in the back and they told me, ‘He’s like GGG (Gennadiy Golovkin),’ and I agree. Remember GGG just used to starch dudes early in his career? Topuria’s like that. Topuria is that guy,” Cormier continued. “He has that power to knock you out and just do it in absolutely devastating fashion. You try to find the words to describe him, but it’s proving very, very difficult. I never thought that anybody would be able to knock out Max Holloway.”

    While getting McGregor back to the cage to fight Michael Chandler proved too much of a challenge in recent years, talk of him doing battle with Topuria has suddenly gained strength in the aftermath of UFC 308.

    Volkanovski will evidently have something to say about that, however, having been confirmed as next in line for Topuria by UFC CEO Dana White following the Abu Dhabi-held PPV.

  • ‘We Said Goodbye Years Ago Bro’ – Fans React To Conor McGregor’s Latest Retirement Claim

    ‘We Said Goodbye Years Ago Bro’ – Fans React To Conor McGregor’s Latest Retirement Claim

    It’s not uncommon for Conor McGregor to be extremely active on social media during a big UFC card and though he was seemingly present during UFC 308, he wasn’t quite as prominent throughout the night.

    Following this past weekend’s action in Abu Dhabi, one post actively targeted him by referencing the injury that Robert Whittaker suffered in his loss to Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of the evening.

    The post reflected on how McGregor has already achieved so much and gotten out of the sport without taking too much damage so he doesn’t need to risk returning when he’s already achieved success both inside and outside of the Octagon.

    https://twitter.com/successfailure0/status/1850832350227095699

    This part-tribute and part-caution to “The Notorious” did catch his eye which isn’t surprising given the graphic nature of Whittaker’s injury. McGregor responded to the post and though it’s unclear whether he’s serious or not, he once again flirted with the idea of riding off into the sunset and hanging the gloves up for good.

    It’s certainly not the first or last time that the Irishman has told fans that he’s ready to call it a day but with his long awaited UFC return still up in the air, who knows whether we will ever see him back in action.

    “Ya know what, you’re right, good bye.”

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1850834388507832341

    Fans reacted to the post with somewhat mixed emotions underneath McGregor’s reply.

    “we said goodbye years ago bro”

    “‘I’m willing to wait for that fight’ – probably Michael Chandler”

    “Bro acting like we didn’t say bye after the Khabib fight. Nothing wrong with being done. You did more for the UFC than any fighter and became one of the best there ever was, while sorting generations of Mcgregors for years. You won life. move on and enjoy what you worked for.”

    “blud saw topuria knock out holloway and retired”

    “I guess we won’t see Chandler at the top. Bro wasted 3 years of his life for this bro.”

    https://twitter.com/UnisquityMma/status/1850835373573968318

    “Please be a joke”

    “No one expected you back anyway”

    “We need the comeback”

    “be back in two weeks Like Ozzy tours”

    https://twitter.com/KnobTwirler/status/1850900933074399307

    “Delete this”

  • UFC Veteran: Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira ‘Could Be As Big’ As A McGregor Fight

    UFC Veteran: Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira ‘Could Be As Big’ As A McGregor Fight

    A recently retired UFC fighter believes the promotion could cash in big time by having reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira challenge his heavyweight counterpart, Jon Jones.

    The possibility of Jones facing Pereira was barely a topic when the former debuted at heavyweight by winning the then-vacant title back in March 2023. At the time, “Poatan” occupied the throne at 185 pounds.

    But since the end of his middleweight reign the following month, Pereira has moved up to light heavyweight and marked himself as one of the promotion’s leading stars by achieving two-division glory.

    And a string of three straight title defenses in 2023 has left many calling for the Brazilian kickboxing specialist to move up again in pursuit of a historic achievement — championship glory in three separate weight classes.

    Though Pereira was dismissive of an immediate heavyweight jump in the aftermath of his victory over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 earlier this month, many are hoping for the promotion to push for it should Jones keep hold of his gold beyond next month’s Madison Square Garden event.

    During a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, former UFC welterweight Matt Brown touched on the topic and was firm in his belief when it comes to the magnitude of the potential clash.

    “I don’t doubt this could be as big as any Conor fight,” Brown said. “This could be promoted to the max. They could do it (International) Fight Week or one of the gigantic cards maybe at the Sphere, something crazy. This could be enormous. Jon’s a smart guy. He’s here for the money now, I think. Legacy and money and Alex is going to bring that. It could be promoted as much as you want to promote. This could be the money fight. It’s heavyweight, too. Heavyweight fights always bring a stigma to them that those lighter fights just don’t bring.

    “Conor obviously brought the trash talk and all the antics, the funny stuff and the cool stuff, there’s a certain aura when Conor comes into the cage,” Brown continued. “But there’s a different aura that can be sold here when Jon Jones, the greatest of all-time, who just beat the greatest heavyweight of all-time — assuming that happens — fighting another guy trying to do the biggest thing of all-time, (become) a three-weight world champion. I can’t think of a bigger fight outside of Conor, but I think it could be as big as any Conor fight.”

    The bout has evidently been discussed internally, with UFC CEO Dana White revealing earlier this year that color commentator Joe Rogan has been pushing for “Poatan” and “Bones” to be matched up.

    For the time being, Jones has his focus on the returning Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Beyond that, most believe any continued stay in the sport as an active fighter should see him unify the heavyweight title against Aspinall.

    But perhaps the UFC would share Brown’s view on the draw of Jones vs. Pereira instead.

  • Conor McGregor Gives Mocking Review Of PFL’s Battle Of The Giants PPV: ‘UFC Has Zero Competition’ 

    Conor McGregor Gives Mocking Review Of PFL’s Battle Of The Giants PPV: ‘UFC Has Zero Competition’ 

    We can seemingly count Conor McGregor among those unimpressed by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and its latest pay-per-view offering.

    The PFL staged its second PPV of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past weekend, with The Mayadeen playing host to a stacked lineup that included one Bellator title fight and the crowning of two inaugural superfight champions.

    In regard to the Bellator stakes, the middleweight belt remained in the possession of Johnny Eblen after he once again got the better of Fabian Edwards.

    Following that contest, Cris Cyborg and Francis Ngannou emerged from the headliners with PFL gold in what marked their respective SmartCage debuts.

    There’s little doubt that the thrilling co-main event and “The Predator’s” brutal knockout to close the show delivered the fireworks many had expected. But while McGregor had compliments for their performances, he was less positive when it came to the overall show.

    The Irishman’s mockery began on the main card when he sarcastically talked over the grappling exchanges during Eblen’s wrestling-heavy win over Edwards.

    “Wow!” McGregor exclaimed. “Oh my god! No! What the hell?! Wow. Oh my god! No way! F*ck off. This can’t be happening right now. He’s holding him! How’s he doing this? Oh my god! F*ck off.”

    Though he ultimately laid praise on Cyborg’s triumph later in the night, he was at it again when the Brazilian held top position over Larissa Pacheco.

    “Wow! This is f*cking excitement,” McGregor joked. “This is excitement.”

    Both of those videos on X were deleted, as was a subsequent post that rejected the PFL’s chances of competing with the UFC.

    “UFC has zero competition in MMA,” McGregor wrote.

    Conor McGregor
  • Belal Muhammad Claps Back At Conor McGregor With Addiction Claims

    Belal Muhammad Claps Back At Conor McGregor With Addiction Claims

    Belal Muhammad recently delivered a sharp rebuttal to Conor McGregor’s latest tirade on social media directed at him.

    Earlier this week, Muhammad became the target of an explicit rant from “The Notorious” on X, who expressed his frustration with the obstacles preventing his UFC comeback. In a now-deleted tweet, McGregor lashed out at the reigning UFC welterweight champion, suggesting he could dispatch him with ease and become the promotion’s first three-division titleholder.

    McGregor’s outburst followed UFC CEO Dana White’s announcement that Muhammad will make his first title defense at 170 pounds against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. The showdown is slated to headline UFC 310 on December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Remember the Name” responded to McGregor’s biting comments, asserting that the only scenario in which the Irishman could envision defeating him is while under the influence. Muhammad accused McGregor of substance abuse, expressing skepticism about the former two-division champion’s imminent return to the Octagon and suggesting that he is unlikely to make a comeback in the near future.

    “As you said, there’s something in the air. I think that’s cocaine, what they call,” Muhammad said. “This guy is always high or drunk, and the only way that he’s gonna imagine beating me is if he’s high or drunk. There’s nothing that’ll ever happen. He won’t be coming back to 170 [pounds]; he won’t be coming back to fighting. He needs to go back to rehab, and like I said, if he needs a ride there, I’ll help him out—I’ll get him an Uber there. But yeah, somebody needs to help this guy; he’s not gonna be fighting anytime soon.”

    “The Notorious” has not stepped into the Octagon since suffering a severe leg injury during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor was initially slated to make his comeback at UFC 303 in June, where he was set to face Michael Chandler in a welterweight clash. However, just weeks before the fight, the UFC superstar broke his toe, forcing him to withdraw from the highly anticipated matchup.

    Last week, McGregor teased a potential showdown with Dan Hooker on February 1 in Saudi Arabia, although he didn’t specify the weight class for the bout. “The Hangman” also expressed his enthusiasm for the possible clash, but as of now, there has been no official confirmation from the UFC.

  • Former UFC Champion Names MMA Mount Rushmore With No Conor McGregor, Khabib Or Jon Jones

    Former UFC Champion Names MMA Mount Rushmore With No Conor McGregor, Khabib Or Jon Jones

    There’s always going to be talk of who the greatest MMA fighters of all time are but this year more than most, it has been a particularly relevant conversation. Whether it’s due to the discourse surrounding Jon Jones and the pound-for-pound rankings or the retirement of Demetrious Johnson, it’s been a consistent topic in recent months.

    One of the latest fighters to weigh in with his own take on the discussion is the former UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway. “Blessed” not only comes in with a fairly unique Mount Rushmore list but explains why they all deserve their spots.

    In an interview with Stake ahead of his huge main event clash with Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, Holloway left out some big names but justified why that is the case.

    “I would say Demetrious (Johnson) is definitely up there, Anderson Silva is there too, GSP and then you have to give it to Forrest Griffin because he helped put the UFC on the map. That TUF Finale on Spike TV was huge for the UFC, so those are my guys for sure. Those four guys are absolute animals.”

    Holloway went on to talk about how, in his opinion, Johnson does not get the respect that he deserves just because he reigned supreme in the smallest of the men’s weight classes.

    “When you talk about Demetrious Johnson, it seems insane to me how he is viewed just because he fought at 125 lbs. This 125-er would absolutely whoop your ass. A lot of bigger guys think they can hang with him, you get these influencers and social media personalities who go around screaming, ‘I’m 260 bro, he’s 125lbs. Brother, Demetrious Johnson would take your ACL and your arm home and then he would come back and cut your head off if he wanted to. You could do nothing about it, he’s such a beast.”

    The BMF titleholder added that he has a lot of respect for the greatest welterweight and middleweight of all time, both of which made his list.

    “I wish I was fighting during the time that GSP was around, I would have loved to have shared the Octagon with him. He’s one of the greats, as was Anderson Silva – he was such a beast.”

    Holloway signed off by explaining the reasoning behind his picks, detailing his own specific criteria and why that eliminates his long time rival, Daniel Cormier.

    “Some people might disagree with my Mount Rushmore, but I’m looking at the way these fighters carried themselves inside and outside of the Octagon, how they were ambassadors for the sport and for the company as well. ‘DC’ is probably going to be mad that he’s not on my Mount Rushmore of MMA, but I don’t like the way he carries himself out of the UFC. He thinks he’s the ‘Daddest Man on the Planet’, he is delusional.”

  • Conor McGregor Sends Proposal To Sean O’Malley As They Squash Beef

    Conor McGregor Sends Proposal To Sean O’Malley As They Squash Beef

    Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley have got a fairly complicated relationship with one another that has taken drastic turns. The two men appeared to be on the same page for a long time before several harsh comments back-and-forth on social media drew a clear line in the sand.

    It now appears that things have been brushed aside and bridges have been rebuilt following recent comments that were made by “Suga” on the Join The Lobby Podcast. The former UFC bantamweight champion spoke about how “The Notorious” will always be an influential figure on his own career and that he wishes him the best in whatever he is doing.

    “He played an important role in my career. It’s always will be inspiration to me at some point… Right now I wouldn’t say he necessarily is… He has a big family now, a bunch of kids, and I hope he’s doing well.”

    McGregor Extends Training Offer To Sean O’Malley & Tim Welch

    In a since deleted post on X, McGregor responded to the clip that was posted of O’Malley squashing the beef that he previously had with the Irishman. The former UFC champ-champ also chose to forgive and forget via the statement that he put out.

    McGregor referred to O’Malley as a “fighting legend” and “an incredible superstar” but spent most of his social media post speaking about something else.

    “The Notorious” would very much like it if O’Malley and his coach would come over to Dublin to train with his head coach John Kavanagh at his home gym, SBG Dublin. He spoke about the potential gain that both “Suga” and Tim Welch could take from this experience before the try to reclaim the bantamweight throne following the events of UFC 306.

    “Sean is a fighting legend! UFC champion and an incredible superstar! I would love, love, love to see, and I can set it up fully, himself and his long time coach, Tim Welch, do a stint in Ireland. A 4 week run at SBG Ireland under Johns coaching and I am telling you he would regain his title. He has a shot at regaining it still for sure, but for himself, and also his coach to spend a good month, to begin with, not a long time, but a good solid month under coach Kav at SBG and they would take heaps of knowledge back with them and onward to regain the Gold. I would love to see it!”

    Screenshot
  • Michael Chandler Confident UFC Won’t Favor Hooker For McGregor’s Return Fight 

    Michael Chandler Confident UFC Won’t Favor Hooker For McGregor’s Return Fight 

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler remains confident of being the promotion’s first choice when it comes to Conor McGregor’s comeback fight in 2025.

    Chandler was announced as the former two-division champion’s return opponent and opposition coach on The Ultimate Fighter toward the start of 2023. But while they completed the reality series, their matchup is still yet to reach the cage.

    And the chances of it doing so took a hit following the cancellation of their UFC 303 main event this past June and Chandler’s subsequent decision to accept a co-headline slot against Charles Oliveira at next month’s UFC 309 pay-per-view.

    Despite that, both Dana White and “Iron” have suggested the McGregor clash remains on the table. And the former Bellator champion insist he remains first choice, even in spite of the Irishman naming Dan Hooker as his opponent instead.

    During an appearance on the debut episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Chandler was asked for his reaction to McGregor’s latest remarks regarding his return to MMA competition in 2025.

    The #6-ranked contender, who started his UFC journey with a victory over Hooker, dismissed McGregor’s comments while at BKFC Spain this past weekend as being serious.

    And in any case, Chandler doesn’t foresee the promotion being on board with “The Hangman” welcoming the Dubliner back to action over him.

    “Conor’s a very ‘flavor of the week’ kind of guy. He just had a conversation with Dan Hooker. Everybody knows Dan Hooker’s an awesome dude. You can sit there and have a beer with him, a Forged Irish Stout, in the middle of a squared ring and be like, ‘Hey, man. I like you, you like me, we can make some magic, let’s fight each other!’ I looked no further than that, honestly.

    “I don’t think the UFC’s going to be very keen on McGregor vs. Hooker compared to McGregor vs. Chandler, since we need to make this fight happen,” Chandler continued. “I’m not really worried about it. It’s been up in the air for the better part of two years. So I’m not going to spend any time or energy or effort worrying about it.”

    Before potentially putting his sights back on McGregor, Chandler will need to have his full energy on the opportunity to avenge the defeat he fell to in his sole UFC title fight to date back in 2022.

    And should he accomplish that feat against Oliveira inside Madison Square Garden on Nov. 17, perhaps a second shot at reaching the lightweight mountaintop will await him next year.