Conor McGregor confused by UFC status after Michael Chandler loss: 'I'm out of it'

Conor McGregor seems uncertain about what is going on with his relationship with the UFC.

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

According to McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who recently became part-owner of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, he's been doing what he's supposed to be doing behind the scenes, including frequent drug tests and training in preparation. Return to action. But as it stands, McGregor has no dates or opponents.

“I tested this evening. I was tested by the Drug Free Sport Agency today,” McGregor said at the BKFC 66 post-event press conference. “I'm more than twice the most tested athlete on the roster. I believe I checked maybe 13 times, the number of seconds it took me to finish Jose Aldo. thirteen times

“Actually, funnily enough, Jose Aldo is No. 2 in the test. I think he was tested six times. So I've checked more than twice as many of these other athletes, yet I'm still struggling to get a date. So, I spoke to Sheikh Turki (Alalsikh) and said, 'Sheikh Turki, can you help me here?'

According to the UFC Anti-Doping Online Records testing history (last updated Sept. 13 at noon ET), McGregor has tested 10 times in 2024. Aldo shows the same numbers. Kayla Harrison is the only other fighter in double digits with 10 tries.

While McGregor may have his numbers off, he is truly among the most tested fighters on the roster.

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

Chandler has been sitting out nearly two years since his last fight while waiting for McGregor. He finally got fed up and decided to go for a rematch against Oliveira. Although McGregor initially issued a fiery response to the news on X (formerly Twitter), he took a different tone when speaking candidly about the situation, offering optimism about the future.

“As far as a rematch with Chandler Oliviera, I'm happy with the date,” McGregor said. “It's November. Maybe we can still do it if they don't line me up until December, January, February – one of those dates. Maybe we can still do it.

“I'm out of the loop with it, you know? All I can do is keep going, doing what I'm doing. I test under test administration, I train every day, and that's it. Let's see what happens. Hopefully, that's it. All will be fruitful.”

McGregor appears to be stuck in a holding pattern. He believes that everything is equal in his end, but is still looking outward. With just a few fights left on his active UFC contract, the enterprising athlete is churning out ideas on how to move his business mind forward.

“I have two fights left on my UFC contract,” McGregor said. “My opponent that I was scheduled to fight has scheduled another fight. I would probably prefer a concession, or a joint partnership, Bare Knuckles-UFC. Similar to McGregor Sports & Entertainment and Mayweather Promotions. Some kind of contract where we can be busy.

“I have to stay busy, and right now I'm working to get there. So, let's see what happens. Like I said, I have two fights left on the contract, and it's taking a minute, but you know, patience is one of the most important skills a man can acquire, study, learn, and implement, and I'm here. right now.”