It looks like ‘The Mac’ is back! Conor McGregor fans have been left wondering about his return to the Octagon ever since the heart-break that was UFC 303. A broken pinky toe shattered the dreams of the fandom that has been waiting for the Irishman to step back into the Octagon since 2021. 

UFC CEO Dana White had also caused a lot of concern as he’d indicated that ‘The Notorious’ would not be fighting anytime this year. But things have changed! The UFC boss has recently indicated that the Irishman’s return has been finalized. Sounds exciting right? Even more so when you consider that Conor McGregor has recently donned his sparring gear once again!

Conor McGregor gets back to work as Dana White drops a massive bombshell about his return

The fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler has become the source of a lot of speculation and pain for fans of the Irishman. Ever since their appearance on TUF 31 as coaches, whenever it looked like the fight was about to happen, fate had other plans. The UFC 303 cancellation due to McGregor’s injury was another roadblock in the saga of ‘The Notoriou’s long-awaited comeback.

Initially, Dana White was adamant that McGregor would not be stepping into the Octagon in 2024. While that still holds true, according to a recent statement made to the New York Post, the UFC boss shared that, “Let me tell you this, I was the one this year saying I don’t think he’s going to fight this year, amid all the talk and everything else. Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.”

While some fans might be cautious about getting their hopes up again, the former champ-champ has also added more weight to the UFC boss’s claims! In a recent series of posts on X, McGregor shared videos of himself sparring, the broken pinky toe seemingly no longer bothering him at all. The post was captioned, “First spar back, off we go again”

Though UFC 303 was a bitter disappointment, McGregor’s recent sparring videos suggest he’s back in fighting form, and his striking looks as sharp as ever with the famed left-hand landing with massive impacts. But is there more at stake when he comes back than just a win over Michael Chandler? Because according to the UFC bantamweight champion, Conor McGregor is only one loss away from giving up his throne as the promotion’s top star!

‘Suga’ gunning for McGregor’s spot in the UFC

Sean O’Malley believes it’ll take just one more slip-up from Conor McGregor before he loses his spot as the ‘face of the UFC’. There’s no denying McGregor’s stardom as the UFC fighter’s fame has made him one of the most recognizable figures even beyond the confines of the Octagon. But with UFC 306 just around the corner, O’Malley’s preparing for the moment that could cement him as the biggest name in the sport, knocking off the Irishman from his pedestal.

During the UFC 306 pre-fight press conference, ‘Suga’ stated, “If he goes out there and loses his next fight, it will be like six in a row. It’s got to die down eventually. Maybe not. That just tests how big of a star he is, but I would assume he goes out there, he loses, I’m there. I’m the guy. I’m the No. 1.”

The bantamweight champion did laud McGregor for his undeniable mic skills, but he further stated that, “…but I’m just consistent right now. I’m fighting a lot. That’s what I bring.” To wrap things up, the stakes are astronomically high for Conor McGregor’s 2025 comeback.

If the former champ-champ falters against Michael Chandler, O’Malley is waiting in the wings, poised to take the mantle. Could we be witnessing a passing of the torch? Or will ‘The Notorious’ prove once again why he’s the biggest name in combat sports? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!