UFC 303 broke all records with the gates as Conor McGregor was scheduled to return to the Octagon and fight Michael Chandler, after being out of action for three long years. Despite the fight garnering more than $20 million from ticket sales and sending the fight fans to the highest state of entropy, the event became a disappointment weeks before the schedule. The press conference for the fight was canceled, which sent the world into a frenzy. And then, ‘The Notorious’ announced his withdrawal from the fight due to an injury. Regardless, the Irishman has promised to eventually return, yet again.
McGregor revealed the real reason why he had to pull out of the fight in an Instagram post, thereby trying to clear the air of speculations. He revealed that he picked up an injury sometime before the press conference. However, the fighter required a bit more time to heal than what was available to him. But that didn’t stop him from letting the fans know that he was confident about his return. He wrote, “My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there! Thank you for the messages of support. I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”
Recently, the Irish mixed martial artist got reminded of his fight with Donald Cerrone, back at UFC 246, when McGregor executed a kick to his opponent’s head, that put him down within just 40 seconds in the first round. A fan account shared snapshots of the fight from 2020 on X. Seemingly inspired by his own bout, the ‘Mystic Mac’ took to the social media platform and replied to the fan’s post. He once again declared that he would return to the Octagon. In his reply, McGregor wrote in ‘The Terminator’s style, “I’ll be back!”
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I’ll be back! https://t.co/bJqlT8Habi
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 21, 2024
Despite the promise of his return, the fight fans were left in utter confusion about the former UFC double champion’s return. As soon as the fighter announced his take on X, the fighting community poured in their opinions in the comments section. Let’s see what the fans had to say, shall we?
Fight fans left confused after Conor McGregor promises his return
Even though the fans wanted to believe McGregor and wait for him to recover before he made a comeback to the MMA promotion, the fighter’s words seemed hollow to many as they kept asking for the date of his return. One of the fans asked, “When do we think champ?” Meanwhile, another commented, “Yeah but when though.” The confusion in the fans’ minds was palpable indeed.
Any timetable for your return?
— Charlie Quinn (@CharlieQuinnMMA) June 21, 2024
One of the fans claimed that it was hard to even trust the Dubliner. After all, the fighter has repeatedly promised a return but failed to announce a date for it.
Not sure I trust your word at this point
— disney (@DisneyChamps) June 21, 2024
Another fan claimed that the Irishman was well past his prime and his recent injury has set him way back. The fan simply couldn’t seem to wrap his head around McGregor’s words and see it happening.
Doubtful. You are well past your prime. Missed your first fight ever due to injury. You can’t possibly be as hungry as you were when you were coming up. Hope I’m wrong because I’m a big fan. Just hard to see it happening.
— John Quinn (@JohnnyLasVegas) June 21, 2024
Some of the fans pointed out that McGregor has been talking about his return for quite a while now. They aimed at the promises he made following his injury at UFC 264. “Been saying that for years now,” wrote a fan. Another fan simply asked the fighter to let it all go and retire.
That was 4 years ago
Just retire, you'll never win again in the UFC
— layerFoo (@layerfoo) June 21, 2024
The fans were quite unhappy with the amount of money they paid to watch the ‘Mystic Mac’ fight Chandler. With the fallout of the bout, all that’s left is nothing but disappointment, which led one of the fans to label McGregor as “a pull out King”.
To much money was spent on this one on you and this event, you are now labeled as a pull out king!
— MarcoFigueroa (@MarcoFigueroa) June 21, 2024
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The fans didn’t back down from expressing their disappointment. One of the fans claimed that mixed martial arts was not McGregor’s business anymore, and asked him to focus on his other ventures.
No please, focus on all your business, the MMA ain't your business anymore, I'm disappointed..
— Darío (@Daro97129937) June 21, 2024
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All in all, the fight fans just wanted to see ‘The Notorious’ return to the UFC. But now, all they can do is wait. Do you think McGregor will make his comeback this year? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.