Conor McGregor and his longtime partner, Dee Devlin are a testament to the fact that through fame, fortune, and firestorms, some bonds remain unbreakable. Amid a whirlwind of controversies, including the recent Dublin High Court ruling and corporate distancing from McGregor’s likeness, the couple’s unwavering connection took center stage once again. This time, in the form of a simple yet profound date night that spoke louder than words.

In a post on his Instagram story, the Irish MMA icon shared a simple smiling emoji with hearts as he highlighted Devlin’s picture of the two of them together. London became the backdrop for the power couple’s latest public outing, where laughter and love replaced legal woes and headlines. McGregor, dressed in a sleek green ensemble, and Devlin, rocking an all-denim look, painted a picture of unity. Devlin’s Instagram post said it all—“Date night with @thenotoriousmma”—paired with photos of the two holding hands, smiling, and reveling in each other’s company.

Of course, the controversies surrounding McGregor are hard to dismiss. Proximo Spirits, the company that acquired Proper No. Twelve Whiskey for a reported $130 million in 2021, recently announced it would no longer use McGregor’s name or likeness in future campaigns. Retailers followed suit, with Tesco and other major stores taking his whiskey off the shelves.

In addition to that, IO Interactive’s decision to pull McGregor’s character from Hitman World of Assassination makes it clear that the backlash is more than just a momentary blip. Yet, Devlin has stood by ‘The Notorious’s side throughout it all. In a statement after the civil trial verdict was announced, she took to Instagram and shared, “My man and I have created a beautiful life together. No one is entitled to comment on our relationship- we trust one another and love one another. Nothing or nobody will change that. Our family stands strong!”

As such, the recent photos of their “date night” may be more than just candid snapshots and possibly a way to present a united front in the face of mounting criticism. Whatever it is, Conor McGregor’s heartwarming gesture on social media highlighted a moment of calm in the chaos. A reminder that, even under scrutiny, the bond they’ve built over the years has remained as strong as ever.

But what about McGregor’s return to action? While the Irishman in his statement after the court verdict indicated, “Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!”, there aren’t any updates on the timeline for his return. As such, Michael Chandler recently revealed that he has already got a few names in mind in case the Irishman’s return faces more hurdles!

Michael Chandler reveals names on his list if Conor McGregor’s return falls through 

Conor McGregor’s recovery from a broken leg, a postponed fight over a broken pinky toe, and his tangled legal troubles have kept him outside the Octagon, while Michael Chandler’s career moves on. But what if that fight never happens? Is Chandler just going to wait? Absolutely not. The American fighter has his sights set on a new star—one that could spark a fiery rivalry and deliver a fight fans would love!

In a recent conversation with ‘Lucky Block’, Chandler confessed, “Paddy versus myself is gonna happen at some point, I’m not sure when, but that’s definitely a fight that interests me. It’s definitely a fight that would be fun for the fans. It would make people feel something.”

‘Iron’ recently came up short against Charles Oliveira in their rematch at UFC 309 and is currently ranked no.7 in the lightweight division while Paddy Pimblett holds the no. 13 spot. So, what about the timeline for ‘The Baddy’ vs Chandler? The American fighter confessed, “If Conor isn’t coming back then Paddy Pimblett is a great option but the London card might come too soon for us so maybe Vegas in the summer time.”

But Chandler isn’t just sitting on one backup plan. If the Pimblett fight falls through, there are other names on his radar like Ilia Topuria, Jorge Masvidal, and even Colby Covington! Why? According to Chandler, “These are big fights against big opponents that are going to sell pay-per-views in big arenas and that’s the place that I’m at right now.”

But as the world looks ahead to Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC, the question remains: will it happen? His legal battles have created uncertainty, leaving fans wondering if the long-awaited showdown with Michael Chandler will ever materialize. While Chandler keeps his options open, targeting stars like Pimblett and others, McGregor’s comeback is still up in the air. What’s next for both fighters? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!