Does Dana White’s latest announcement rule out Conor McGregor’s return in 2023?
Conor McGregor was slated to fight in 2023, when the year started. However, it may not happen after the announcements from Dana White regarding the rest of 2023.
Conor McGregor teases big announcement despite frustrations with the UFC (via Imago)
Dana White announced the major fights for the upcoming UFC 295 and UFC 296 PPV cards. Many thought Leon Edwards would defend his title against Colby Covington at UFC 295. It would then pave the way for a Conor McGregor fight in 2023. However, in a twist, the UFC booked Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka for UFC 295 and shifted Leon and Colby to UFC 296.
The UFC 296 PPV card also features a flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and surging contender Brandon Royval. This all but confirms the unlikelihood of Conor McGregor not returning in 2023. UFC 296 already has two title fights, and the involvement of McGregor makes it the best PPV card of recent times. However, the UFC has a history of not overstacking cards from time to time. The recent UFC 293 card remains proof enough. Nevertheless, we must dissect the recent announcements of Dana White and what it means for the return fight of Conor McGregor.
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Implications of Dana White’s UFC 295 and UFC 296 announcement
UFC 295 features the first title defense of heavyweight champion Jon Jones against Stipe Miocic as the main event. The event needed a stellar co-main event, and it came in the form of Pereira vs. Prochazka. The light heavyweight title remains vacant after champion Jamahal Hill injured his Achilles.
Pereira recently defeated former champion Jan Blachowicz via decision to emerge as a possible title challenger at UFC 291. Prochazka is one of the most exciting fighters on the roster. Fans have wanted to see a fight between Pereira and Prochazka since UFC 291. Dana White and the UFC decided to book the fight and gave the fans what they wanted.
In August, bantamweight champion Suga Sean O’Malley indicated that he wanted to fight on the UFC 296 PPV card. For some time, fans and analysts expected McGregor to fight on the UFC 296 card. O’Malley even asked McGregor to fight on the UFC 296 main event so that he could fight on the co-main event spot.
It would have been a dream scenario, but it might not happen this year. Dana White announced the welterweight title bout between Edwards and Covington as the main event. At this point, UFC might want to create a superstar in Sean O’Malley, and he can headline a PPV card on his own. It remains unlikely that O’Malley will fight on the co-main event spot for anyone other than McGregor.
Will Conor McGregor return to fight in 2023?
2023 started with many expecting Conor McGregor to fight in the UFC octagon. As the year progressed, the hopes of return started to diminish further. With the announcement of the UFC 296 headliner, it looks unlikely that McGregor would return this year.
2024 looks like the best time for McGregor to return at the moment. UFC 300 could happen in March or April. Hence, the UFC might look to put McGregor on the monumental UFC card. The PPV card in January, February, and March will likely feature champions like Alexander Volkanovski, Sean Strickland, and Zhang Weili. Hence, it could help the UFC reserve McGregor till the monumental UFC 300 card.
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