Conor McGregor has spoken out about his long-delayed return to the UFC after making a surprise appearance at a Bellator show in Dublin on Saturday night.
McGregor was scheduled to make his long-awaited return at UFC 303 on June 29, only to withdraw from his fight against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas due to injury.
It’s been almost three years since the Irishman last set foot in the octagon, and his trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier, which saw him suffer a horrific leg fracture, put his career in doubt.
And having finally regained fitness, he was recently forced to withdraw from this month’s comeback match against Chandler after breaking his toe.
McGregor spoke out about his latest setback after appearing at Bellator, a rival MMA promotion, in Dublin this weekend to work Irish MMA star Sinead Kavanagh’s corner, admitting that an “error of concentration” was to blame for his toe injury.
Conor McGregor has spoken about his delayed return to the UFC after appearing in Bellator Dublin
‘You know, I’m still here rockin’. I had a little loss of concentration and had to reschedule the fight, so I’m a little upset about that,” he said in an interview with Bellator analyst Dan Hardy.
‘But it keeps me attentive, it keeps me focused. I can’t walk around like I’m out there showing up, like I’m out there doing my job. The work isn’t done, so that’s not bad for someone like me.
“I move forward towards the new date and take advantage of the lessons learned, it was a mistake in concentration.”
McGregor added that he wants to be “100 per cent” and “injury free” when he makes his long-awaited return, after claiming he had previously entered the octagon at a disadvantage.
“If I was any of those other little bums who can’t move, who don’t have footwork, who don’t trust their abilities…then I’d be fine,” he said of fighting while injured.
‘And I’ve done it before, I’ve walked many times in those circumstances and I’ve given these bums an advantage over me that they don’t even deserve.
‘So now I’m fine-tuning it, I’m getting these training camps right. Conor McGregor went in there 100 percent, injury free. Perfection is on the menu.’
McGregor was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 later this month.
But the Irishman’s long spell outside the Octagon continued after he broke his toe.
After withdrawing from UFC 303, McGregor shared photos of his broken finger and the confirming x-ray on social media this week.
He also explained the lack of focus that led to the injury, saying, “Man, we were so fucking prepared for this fight it’s absolutely heartbreaking to take it.” I want that new Bugatti, how will I justify getting it now without having to bank these fights.
“We had a lack of concentration and participated in a training session without wearing full protective equipment and I stubbed my elbow and broke my finger.”
‘It needs a few weeks, that’s all. I couldn’t justify to my team, or to the fans, that I was on the wrong path again. That walk has been seen. This next walk has to be, and will be, 100 percent.
‘The fans deserve it and we are getting closer. A slight lack of concentration and the discomfort of an injury were detected.
‘That’s all. Take the lesson and move on. I’ll get this back. I have also. I have two fights left on my contract. I have Bugattis and more yachts in mind. I’ll shine. I must take my time.
McGregor admitted it was “very difficult” to cancel the fight and promised he will return.
Because I still have yachts, Bentleys, mansions and everything else. You already know yourself. But understand me, I will return. See you soon. See you at the top. Chandler or not.
McGregor’s representatives were forced to deny claims that the former two-weight UFC champion pulled out of his fight against Chandler because he is in rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.
Former MMA fighter Chael Sonnen hinted that he had checked into rehab last week, only for McGregor’s camp to vehemently deny that story.
A spokesperson told DailyMail.Com on Tuesday: ‘Mr McGregor is with his family.
‘The fight was canceled after an injury he suffered during training. ‘He’s looking forward to a new date.’