UFC fans reckon Dana White and the promotion are saving Conor McGregor’s return for a historic pay-per-view card next year.
The Notorious was set to return to the octagon later this year in a blockbuster showdown with former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.
INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMAConor McGregor was due to make his UFC return against Michael Chandler later this year[/caption]
INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMABut a 2023 comeback is in doubt as he’s not in the USADA drug testing pool[/caption]
MMA fans reckon the UFC brass ar saving The Notorious for UFC 300SPORTSFILE
But the Irishman has allegedly missed the deadline to re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s drug testing pool in time to compete in the promotion’s final pay-per-view card of the year on December 16.
McGregor, however, could still return this year if the UFC opts to give him an exemption from USADA’s six-month testing pool requirement.
But MMA fans reckon the return of the Mac will take place at UFC 300 – which is on course to take place in April.
After Chandler seemingly confirmed McGregor missed the USADA deadline, one fan tweeted: “Been saying it for a while.
“They’re gonna aim for UFC 300.”
Another said: “UFC 300 it is then.”
And another said: “I guarantee y’all are planned for UFC 300
One simply said: “UFC 300.”
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Another chimed in: “They setting y’all up for UFC 300, Mike.”
New fan favourite Chandler coached opposite McGregor on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter with the expectation of fighting the UFC’s poster boy by year’s end.
But the 36-year-old admits there is a good chance they won’t lock horns until early next year.
He told ESPN: “There is so much up in the air. All I can do is focus on what I can control.
“I don’t have any more information, I wish I could give you some more right now.
“But as far as I’m concerned the fight against Conor is still happening. Maybe it doesn’t happen by the end of this year, which it still might.
“But if not, it’s gonna be first quarter of next year.
“But either way, we’re moving forward and I will separate him from consciousness within the first two rounds of that fight.”