What’s up with Conor McGregor? ‘Notorious’ hasn’t fought in two-and-a-half years, and Dana White says he won’t be back until the fall… despite the UFC superstar claiming he’s desperate for a fight

945 days. That’s how long it’s been since we last saw Conor McGregor inside the UFC octagon.

Few could have imagined when he produced one of the big title fights against Eddie Alvarez in 2016 that he would win just one more fight in the seven years that followed.

But that is the situation the Irish superstar finds himself in today. The fame of McGregor continues to grow. The fighter McGregor continues to drift further in the background.

Of course, a terrible injury is largely to blame for this. The 35-year-old’s last fight ended in disaster when he broke his leg in the first round of his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier in the summer of 2021.

The gruesome injury was considered by some to be career-ending, but McGregor was quick to assure fans that he would be back.

It’s been two and a half years now and fans still don’t know much about when or if this return is actually coming.

UFC president Dana White gave an update this week, but it wasn’t the news McGregor’s followers were hoping for.

He announced that the comeback of the ‘Notorious’ is earmarked for the fall of this year, a blow to those who held out faint hope that McGregor might headline the landmark UFC 300 PPV or return by the summer at the latest.

McGregor had taken to Instagram to vent his frustration at the lack of movement on his return in a clear message to his wage earners earlier this week, writing “f*****g date set.”

It’s a sentiment that will resonate with many, especially when you consider that filming for Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter took place this time last year.

McGregor and fellow lightweight Michael Chandler were trainers on the reality show, which traditionally culminates with the two trainers facing off in the octagon.

The series aired in the summer and had been intended to be the perfect hype machine before they were due to meet towards the end of 2023.

The days ticked by with McGregor not enrolled in the USADA testing program and it became clear he would not be seen in 2023 as fighters were not allowed to compete until six months after re-entering the pool.

Chandler, knowing it would be a career-best payday, was clearly willing to wait, but the normally active American is still twiddling his thumbs.

McGregor, who re-entered the testing pool in October, took plenty of shots at USADA over the situation, while also hinting at interest in other opponents instead of Chandler.

Hopes of an earlier return for the Dubliner were ignited when it was announced that the eight-year partnership between the UFC and USADA would end in January this year, with disagreements with McGregor largely to blame.

Speaking in November, McGregor said: ‘April is a lovely run for me and I’d be happy about that.

‘I’m in a good place, I’ve been training – I’ve also been away. But I’ve been training and April seems like a good time to come back.’

It would coincide with UFC 300, and it seemed like these stars were lining up to have the sport’s biggest star top the historic card.

But McGregor’s tone quickly changed when the former bantamweight champion took to social media on New Year’s Eve to ‘announce’ a July date.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, a happy new year to you all.’ McGregor said in a video posted on X.

‘I would like to announce the return date of myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor. ‘The biggest comeback ever takes place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29 and the opponent, Michael Chandler. And the weight, Mr. Chandler, 185 lbs.’

Chandler welcomed the message, replying: ‘I always said I wanted you biggest, baddest and best.’ He said the X. 185 would look good on me.’

Nevertheless, UFC 300 (April 13) continues to approach, and no main event has been set.

There seems to be little else standing in the way of the UFC giving the show the main event it deserves, with McGregor tweeting last month that his presence on the card would ‘seal the deal’. Chandler was again quick to respond, writing: ‘I accept, see you soon.’

McGregor appears fit and ready to fight, sharing regular training videos, back in the testing pool and fully recovered from his leg injury.

But Dana White poured cold water on the UFC 300 speculation in his interview with Pat McAfee last week, saying: ‘eventually. Hopefully this year. There is no date. I hope for autumn. (Hopefully) we’ll get it done this fall.’

This latest significant delay has frustrated fans to suggest that McGregor, who is not getting any younger, may never return.

It’s no secret that the Irishman has a lot to do outside of the games. A household name now, he’s made more than enough money to never compete again.

His Proper Twelve whiskey business has netted him hundreds of millions and he will star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a remake of the American classic action thriller Road House, which will be released on Amazon in March.

While he may be working out, it’s clear he’s still enjoying himself and the finer things in life.

The former champion’s lifestyle is a world apart from most fighters, and a growing portion of the UFC’s core fan base will tell you they’re losing interest in seeing him come back.

Nevertheless, this sector still represents a minority of the fan base.

There is no doubt that a return, should it finally happen, would generate huge business for the UFC. So if he is ready, what are they waiting for?