- It had been suggested that Conor McGregor would return to the octagon later this year.
- However, UFC boss Dana White admitted that money has “complicated” the situation.
- McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon since a 2021 loss
UFC boss Dana White has claimed money has “complicated” Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the organisation.
The 35-year-old’s last fight ended in disaster when he broke his leg in the first round of his trilogy showdown with Dustin Poirier in the summer of 2021.
Despite suggestions that he would return to the Octagon in 2023 to face lightweight contender Michael Chandler, McGregor has yet to return.
White had already announced that the return of ‘Notorious’ was scheduled for the fall of this year, however, after his latest comments, that may not be the case.
Speaking during Saturday’s UFC 298 post-fight press conference, White said: “The first problem was he broke his shin.
UFC boss Dana White claims money has ‘complicated’ Conor McGregor’s return
White had already announced that the return of ‘Notorious’ was scheduled for the fall of this year.
‘He was recovering from that. That was one of the reasons. The other problem is that he is fucking rich.”
White then hinted at McGregor’s role in the upcoming film ‘Road House’, where he will be tasked with promoting the film in the run-up to its release.
He continued: ‘I don’t know. Conor McGregor has a lot of money. Any time we have Conor, we will be happy. You know, we’ll be delighted when he comes and fights.
‘Money complicates many things. He just filmed a movie. He has to do the press for the film and he has obligations with that. “He wants to fight this year, but we’ll see what happens.”
The UFC was also involved in the production of the film as Gyllenhaal’s character appears to be a former UFC fighter. The film filmed fight and weigh-in scenes during UFC 285 in March with McGregor heavily involved in the marketing efforts.
The film was shot amid McGregor’s hiatus after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The former two-division champion has yet to see the octagon since.
In a video posted on New Year’s Eve, McGregor announced that he will fight Michael Chandler at 185 pounds in Las Vegas, however, White canceled it.
White also took the opportunity to praise McGregor as “one of the best business partners we’ve ever had.”
UFC pinned McGregor against Michael Chandler on the final season of The Ultimate Fighter
The UFC boss continued: “Conor McGregor has probably been one of the best business partners we’ve ever had.”
‘Getting Conor to arrive on time is a problem. But Conor, when it comes to the business, everyone talks about how Conor used to be unemployed and all that.
“For a guy who was unemployed, Conor McGregor is a very good businessman, and Conor McGregor has always been a great partner for us.
“There’s never anyone going out and haggling for money or, you know, ‘You pay me more money.'” Conor McGregor has never done anything even remotely close to that. It’s exactly the opposite.