Conor McGregor was spotted shadowboxing and dancing in the VIP section of a New York nightclub this week amid questions over his proposed UFC return.
The Irishman, who has not fought since breaking his leg at UFC 264 more than three years ago, could be seen partying at Marquee Nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday morning as his chances of a return become increasingly unlikely.
While it’s unclear if he himself was drinking, an animated McGregor appeared to be jumping up and down next to a table full of alcohol as he danced the night away in the Big Apple shortly after 2 a.m.
His crazy antics come despite recent claims from UFC president Dana White that he has been ramping up his training in New York ahead of an expected return.
Since recovering from a broken leg, McGregor had been in the mix to return and face Michael Chandler ever since the two faced off as coaches on the 31st edition of The Ultimate Fighter last year.
Conor McGregor (center) was spotted shadow boxing and dancing in the VIP section of a New York nightclub this week.
However, after finally setting June 29, 2024 as his return date, the 36-year-old was forced to withdraw from his showdown with Chandler in Las Vegas due to a broken toe.
Chandler has since moved on and secured a fight against Charles Oliveira, which leaves McGregor on the hunt for a new opponent if he does indeed return in the near future.
White no longer expects that to happen in 2024, setting early 2025 as a more realistic return date for his star.
“Let me tell you this, I was the one this year who said I don’t think he’s going to fight this year, amidst all the talk and everything else,” he told The New York Post.
‘Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.’
McGregor has only competed twice in nearly five years, with his last two fights ending in defeat against Dustin Poirier.
Poirier brutally knocked him out for the first time in January 2021, before suffering a gruesome leg fracture in their trilogy fight six months later.
The Irishman was spotted partying at Marquee nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
McGregor has not fought in the UFC for more than three years and his return is looking increasingly unlikely.
He was supposed to return against Michael Chandler this summer, but withdrew injured.
Since then, the former two-division UFC champion has frequently been seen partying as his planned comeback remains stalled.
Before his proposed fight against Chandler was delayed, McGregor had fans concerned when he was seen embarking on a drinking binge just six weeks before the contest.
Rumors then began to circulate that he wouldn’t be ready in time for the June 29 date, which turned out to be true when the fight was postponed, although he cited a toe injury.
After Chandler was booked to fight Oliveira in November, McGregor posted on X: ‘Chandler watched him get knocked down, beaten up and officially taken down. Little fatty.
“I’m at the Hard Rock Hotel Florida tonight for the bare knuckle fighting championships. I got tested today at DFSI (Drug Free Sport International). Give me my damn date!”
