UFC boss Dana White finally revealed the reason behind Conor McGregor's constant delay in the much-awaited comeback in the UFC.
McGregor hasn’t competed inside the octagon since July 2021 when he broke his leg during a fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and had to remain on the sidelines for a long time.
With only two months remaining until UFC 300, fans had long been dreaming of a Conor McGregor comeback.
It appeared to be the ideal occasion for his return, marking the historic 300th UFC PPV event. However, consistent with McGregor's comeback narrative, it seems this dream won't materialise.
Dana White recently addressed the delay in McGregor's return during a conversation with Kevin Iole.
"First of all, he is coming back from one of the nastiest injuries you can come back from. How long was Anderson Silva out for when he did it? How long was Chris Weidman out when he did it?" White said.
White drew parallels with past incidents, citing Chris Weidman's injury at UFC 261 where his leg snapped after a shin kick. Weidman took nearly two-and-a-half years to make a comeback. The UFC boss also referenced Anderson Silva's case, where Silva broke his leg during a fight against Weidman and his return took over a year.
By highlighting these examples, White aimed to underline the seriousness of McGregor's injuries. Additionally, he mentioned how the Irishman's altered lifestyle has added complexity to negotiations with the fighter.
"Conor McGregor doesn't need the money. So, when you don't need the money, it's not as easy. Khabib doesn't need the money, Khabib retired. Conor McGregor has a movie coming out, he's got businesses he's building, it's a completely different dynamic when you're dealing with a guy who has this kind of money," White added.
Outside the octagon, McGregor is set to feature in "Roadhouse," a 2024 release alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, a reimagination of the 1989 classic. McGregor also manages several pubs and restaurants in the Dublin area, in addition to his highly successful whiskey brand "Proper 12."