Conor McGregor””the name alone stirs excitement in the world of MMA. Yet, as fans eagerly await his return to the Octagon, recent developments have left many scratching their heads. Michael Chandler, who was scheduled to face McGregor since their stint on TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) 31 has seemingly moved on. His next fight? It’ll be at UFC 309 on November 16 against Charles Oliveira.

So where does that leave the Irishman? According to UFC CEO Dana White, the most likely timeline for his return appears to be 2025. But McGregor’s latest antics on a live stream have sparked concerns about whether the former ‘champ-champ’ is truly preparing for his long-anticipated comeback!

Dana White reacts to Conor McGregor’s live stream and reveals a timeline for his return

In a recent live stream for Duelbits, Conor McGregor left the fans puzzled with his behavior. It’s no secret that McGregor has always danced to the beat of his own drum, but this latest public appearance has cast doubt on his discipline. Why?

During the live stream, the Irishman was reportedly “inebriated,” leading to a whirlwind of speculation. As such, in a recent interview with Kevin Iole, UFC CEO Dana White was asked about what went down and his thoughts on the possibility of ‘The Notorious’s antics having an impact on his readiness for his comeback.

White bluntly stated, “Well number 1, I didn’t see it, I didn’t see the live stream. You had said something to me about it. And number two, I said that Conor wasn’t fighting till 2025. It is October 1st of 2024 Conor McGregor has plenty of time.” “I’m going with 2025,” White reaffirmed when pressed about a potential fight date.

At the recent DWCS (Dana White Contender Series) post-fight press conference, the UFC boss was further asked about ‘The Notorious’s return and his opponent. While originally scheduled to take on Michael Chandler, ‘Iron’ has now been scheduled to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. But when asked if the former Bellator lightweight champion is still going to be McGregor’s next opponent in 2025, White replied, “I have no idea. Like I said, to Kevin today, Conor will fight in 2025. Whoever is…however it plays out as we lead up to him being ready, I have no clue.”

For someone like Conor McGregor, who thrives on the chaos of the fight world, the future seems oddly unclear. With McGregor’s unpredictable behavior, it’s hard to say what’s next because he recently also took aim at the welterweight crown held by Belal Muhammad!

‘The Notorious’ sets his sight on the welterweight belt for his return

Conor McGregor is never one to shy away from bold claims, and now he’s setting his sights on UFC gold once again. Originally, McGregor was set to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in what was supposed to be his grand comeback. But fate had other plans. A broken toe sidelined McGregor, leaving Chandler to seek a new opponent while the Irishman’s return was pushed back.

As Chandler prepares to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, the Irishman has been busy plotting his next move. And, as always, he’s aiming high. During the live stream for Duelbits, McGregor stated, “I want to fight him. Okay, Chandler’s matched, let’s schedule Belal-McGregor UFC welterweight world title on the line. I’ve multiple knockouts at 170lb, I’m a force to be reckoned with at 170lb.”

The Irishman took it a step further, pointing out that Belal Muhammad has never even secured a knockdown in his UFC career. “Not one knockdown, it’s embarrassing,” McGregor quipped, making it clear he believes he’s the rightful contender.

The real question now is, will Dana White and the UFC brass entertain McGregor’s bold request? With the former lightweight champion’s history of bringing in massive pay-per-view numbers, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Could we see McGregor vs. Belal for the welterweight strap in 2025? Why or Why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!