DANA WHITE has refused to rule out the possibility of Conor McGregor making his blockbuster return at UFC 300.
The Notorious put the wheels in motion for his comeback clash with Michael Chandler this month by re-enrolling in the USADA testing pool, which he must be in for at least six months.
Twitter/@TheNotoriousMMAConor McGregor is set to face Michael Chandler in his comeback fight[/caption]
GETTYThe UFC are expected to keep McGregor on ice until at least April – which paves the way for a UFC 300 return[/caption]
GETTYDana White is refusing to rule out the possibility of McGregor fighting at UFC 300[/caption]
The UFC‘s eight-year relationship with the anti-doping agency ends in December, although they’re adamant McGregor won’t return earlier than he would’ve been able to had the partnership been renewed.
That timeline paves the way for the Irishman to make his blockbuster return at UFC 300 in April, although that prospect has yet to cross White’s mind.
The promotion’s president and newly-minted CEO said: “I literally have nothing planned for Conor McGregor right now.
“The paperwork is being submitted. We’ll play it by ear, see how things work out.
“There’s still a lot of things that have to happen as far as fights go, and then we’ll decide where he’s going to land.”
White and his team of elite matchmakers are, however, currently devising fights for the historic card.
The 54-year-old said: “I think we have fights all the way made up until February 3rd or 10th.
“Orr something like that.
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“And we’ve got ideas for March and April.”
Former two-division champion McGregor, 35, hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Ex-Bellator lightweight king Chandler was announced as the Dubliner’s opponent for his comeback fight all the way back in February.
Chandler has sat patiently on the sidelines waiting for the official date for the fight, which he reckons will end up headlining UFC 300.
“My heart of hearts says the biggest fight we’ve seen in a very long time has to go down on the biggest card that the UFC is going to put together since UFC 200, since UFC 100,” he said during an appearance on The MMA Hour.
“My heart of hearts, my gut says we might be waiting until UFC 300.
“Good thing I’ve got a lot of things to keep my busy.
“and I get an opportunity to train for Conor for a very long time.”
ReutersConor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in July 2021[/caption]