Conor McGregor Confused About UFC’s Status After Michael Chandler Loss

Conor McGregor seems unsure about his relationship with the UFC.

The former two-division UFC champion says he’s back, but for some reason the promotion hasn’t given him a fight date. In fact, he just lost to expected opponent Michael Chandler in a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

According to McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who recently became a co-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, he has been doing everything he needs to do behind the scenes, including frequent drug testing and training to prepare for his return to action. But for now, McGregor has no date or opponent.

“I got tested tonight. I got tested today by Drug Free Sport,” McGregor said at a press conference after the BKFC 66 event. “I’m the most tested athlete on the roster, more than twice as many. I think I got tested maybe 13 times, the time it took me to beat Jose Aldo. Thirteen times.

“Actually, funny thing is, Jose Aldo is number two in testing. I think he’s been tested six times. So I’ve been tested more than twice as many times as any other athlete, and yet I’m having trouble finding a date. So I spoke to Sheikh Turki (Alalshikh) and I said, ‘Sheikh Turki, can you help me?'”

According to UFC Anti-Doping online testing history (last updated September 13 at noon ET), McGregor has been tested 10 times in 2024. Aldo shows the same number. Kayla Harrison is the only other fighter with double-digits, also with 10 tests.

While McGregor may not be entirely accurate in his assessment of his results, he is undoubtedly one of the most proven players on the team.

The Irishman was scheduled to fight Chandler at UFC 303 in July, but the fight was canceled after he broke his toe.

Chandler had been sitting on the sidelines for nearly two years since his last fight, waiting for McGregor. He finally got pissed off and decided to move on to the rematch with Oliveira. While McGregor initially responded with a fiery response to the message on X (formerly Twitter), his tone changed as he spoke candidly about the situation, offering optimism about the future.

“As far as Chandler and Oliviera rematch, I’m happy with the date,” McGregor said. “It’s November. Maybe we can do it later if they don’t book me for December, January, February – one of those dates. Maybe we can do it.

“I’m just not into it, you know? All I can do is keep going, keep doing what I’m doing. I’m testing under the test administration, I’m training every day and that’s it. We’ll see what happens. I hope everything works out.”

McGregor seems to be stuck in limbo. He thinks he’s fine, but he’s still on the outside looking in. With just a few fights left on his active UFC contract, the enterprising athlete has a business mind that’s coming up with ideas on how to proceed.

“I have two fights left on my UFC contract,” McGregor said. “My opponent that I was supposed to fight pushed his next fight back. I’d like a release or maybe a joint partnership, Bare Knuckle-UFC. Like McGregor Sports and Entertainment and Mayweather Promotions. Some kind of agreement where we can get down to business.

“I have to stay busy, and right now I’m working to get there. So let’s see what happens. Like I said, I’ve got two more fights on my contract, and it takes a while, but you know, patience is one of the most important skills a person can have, study, learn and implement, and that’s where I am right now.”