UFC superstar Conor McGregor has flip-flopped on a potential fighting return in a cryptic social media message.
After initially teasing retirement at a Bare Knuckle FC press conference, Conor McGregor has since pivoted on potentially returning to the UFC Octagon amidst his political aspirations.
But, there’s a catch.
McGregor hasn’t fought since injuring his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He was scheduled to return to the Octagon last June against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 before withdrawing due to a toe injury.
McGregor’s intent to run in the upcoming Irish presidential election thwarted any chance of a potential fighting comeback in many fight fans’ minds. But McGregor has since changed his mind, as he’s known to do, albeit with a hefty condition associated with a UFC return.
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Conor McGregor gives major condition for UFC comeback that Dana White will hate
McGregor has repeatedly expressed interest in fighting in a stadium at least once in his fighting career. But UFC CEO Dana White is a big obstacle in his way of making that dream become a reality, as White is notorious for denying the UFC’s interest in hosting events in massive stadiums.
After watching Las Vegas play host to WWE’s WrestleMania extravaganza last weekend at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, McGregor shared one condition for him to sign the dotted line for a UFC comeback fight.
In a recent post to X, McGregor unveiled his condition for a fighting return.
“I’ll only come back to a stadium,” McGregor said in a recent tweet.
One potential opponent for McGregor’s UFC comeback is Paddy Pimblett, who has repeatedly pitched a fight with McGregor at Wembley Stadium in the UK. Pimblett most recently defeated McGregor’s previously scheduled rival, Chandler, by TKO at UFC 314 earlier this month.
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But McGregor has other ideas.
“IRON MIKE CHANDLER. Unfinished business,” McGregor shared in a follow-up tweet.
As of this writing, Chandler hasn’t responded to McGregor’s tweets. Chandler has lost three fights in a row after first calling out McGregor in 2022.
McGregor lost a $500,000 wager on Chandler for his loss to Pimblett at UFC 314. But McGregor seemed to take the financial loss in stride, acknowledging Pimblett’s immense potential.
While a McGregor comeback is unlikely for 2025, a future clash with Chandler could potentially still be on the table. Chandler hasn’t lost faith in McGregor returning to the Octagon, but has acknowledged he wouldn’t bet on it.
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Conor McGregor’s return teases continue to frustrate UFC fans and matchmakers
Before injuring his leg against Poirier in 2021, he lost by knockout to Poirier at UFC 257 in what was the first TKO loss of his UFC career. He’s lost three of his last four fights overall, including by submission to heated rival Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.
An interesting angle to McGregor’s latest return tease is his status with the Drug Free Sport testing pool. As of this writing, Drug Free Sport doesn’t have any tests listed for McGregor in 2025, potentially further delaying a possible comeback if he’s not in the pool.
Regardless, McGregor’s lust for fighting hasn’t dwindled, despite his lengthy hiatus. We could learn more about a potential McGregor comeback in the coming weeks.
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Conor McGregorDana WhiteMichael ChandlerMMAUFC
