'OFF WE GO'
Conor McGregor sends Dana White blunt message after being told he WON’T make UFC return this year
The Notorious isn't giving up hope of returning to the cage this year
CONOR MCGREGOR has seemingly sent a blunt message to Dana White after the UFC bigwig claimed he won't be fighting this year.
The MMA superstar was set to make his eagerly-anticipated cage comeback against Michael Chandler in June but was forced out of the Sin City showdown due to injury.
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McGregor, 36. revealed to SunSport this summer that he's hopeful of making a December return to the cage.
But White, the UFC's President and CEO, recently told the : “Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.
"He’s had so much time off. As far as the hunger, he’s a very wealthy guy. We’ll find out. We’ll find out when he comes back.
"But he is definitely one of the big superstars of the sport that elevated the UFC all throughout Europe and other parts of the world.
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"He’s been a big star and a great partner for us.”
McGregor has yet to issue a response to White's public delaying of his return.
But he's shown the veteran promoter he's ready to return by sharing fresh sparring footage.
The Irishman posted videos of himself trading blows with a sparring partner to his Instagram in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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Inside McGregor's Notorious lifestyle
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
Read all of our latest Conor McGregor stories.
His accompanying caption read: "First spar back, off we go."
Scores of the fan favourite's 47 million followers commented on the clips, with one saying: "The Mac's back! Let's go, champ."
Conor McGregor gives major UFC contract update as Dana White teases imminent fight announcement
Another said: "That confidence. LFG, brother."
And another said: "That's fast, Conor. You're looking good."
One remarked: " Free the Mac."
Another chimed in: "The King is back."
Former two-division champion McGregor was in talks over a bumper new deal with the UFC prior to the cancellation of his summer showdown with Chandler.
But The Notorious has hinted that negotiations have cooled over the last few months.
The former feather and lightweight champion told SunSport: "You know, the fight never happened.
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"So it's just about getting the fight on."
McGregor hasn't set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy with Dustin Poirier over three years ago.
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