Conor McGregor RULED OUT for UFC 300? Insider from Irishman camp suggests Dana White and Co have postponed superstar’s return to octagon

John Kavanagh recently explained that Conor McGregor's comeback may be pushed further out to summer rather than UFC 300.

Conor McGregor RULED OUT for UFC 300? Insider from Irishman camp suggests Dana White and Co have postponed superstar’s return to octagon

John Kavanagh explains that Conor McGregor's comeback may be pushed further out to summer (via Imago)

Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the UFC appears to be facing another setback, according to his longtime coach, John Kavanagh. McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, had originally planned to return in April, as he disclosed in late October. However, Kavanagh recently said on The MMA Hour that the comeback date may be pushed out to the summer.

Kavanagh voiced skepticism about the reasons for the delay. Speculating on the UFC’s decision, Kavanagh wondered whether they planned to hold McGregor back for International Fight Week, which takes place in July. He also claimed that the organization may feel UFC 300 in April will be a big enough event without McGregor on the card. This is what John Kavanagh said:

We were hoping for April. That was the hope. That was what we were told. And now it seems to be the summertime.
John Kavanagh via The MMA Hour
YouTube video

The revelation has frustrated McGregor, as he was preparing for an April comeback. The coach expressed concern about McGregor’s mental health as a result of the lengthy wait. Despite the setback, Kavanagh pushed McGregor to focus on the good parts of the training regimen. This is what he said when Ariel Helwani asked about McGregor’s mental health:

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I was too ,I’m not gonna lie. But hearing him today, he has found this great group of training partners. At least he is doing that.
John Kavanagh via The MMA Hour

Despite the setback, Kavanagh emphasized the significance of being active and enjoying the process. Kavanagh is still optimistic that the UFC would rethink and stick to the April schedule, allowing McGregor to return sooner.

John Kavanagh talks about USADA balming Conor McGregor for the split with UFC

SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh recently criticized the United States Anti-Doping Agency for what he saw as a dubious approach in blaming Conor McGregor for their departure from the UFC. Kavanagh acknowledged his surprise at USADA’s choice to blame the breakup on McGregor’s re-entry into the drug-testing pool.

John Kavanagh talks with Ariel Helwani about USADA-UFC split
John Kavanagh talks with Ariel Helwani about the USADA-UFC split (via BJJ Heroes)

In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Kavanagh expressed his confusion. He stated that it would have been more logical for the UFC to announce McGregor’s comeback date initially, before any conflict with USADA. Kavanagh questioned USADA’s choice to make premature public pronouncements that may be motivated by emotions. This is what he had to say:

When I saw those statements from USADA and you guys over here, litigious and everything, I was like, 'Why are you? Sounds very b**chy or something. At least wait for the UFC to try and break the rules.
John Kavanagh via The MMA Hour

USADA CEO Travis Tygart released a scathing statement addressing the UFC-USADA separation, blaming McGregor for the conflict. According to Tygart, the UFC wanted to obtain an exception for McGregor, their most valuable fighter, allowing him to return early. This reported request was identified as the fundamental cause of the UFC-USADA feud. Fight fans remain in the dark about who is in the right in this case.

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