Is Conor McGregor finally back?
Late Tuesday night, the former two-division UFC champion dropped a message on social media that appeared to hint that he’s struck a deal for his return to action for the first time in five years. McGregor has been in talks with the UFC about his next fight, but a new deal had to get worked out first, especially considering the sizable differences in his salary after the promotion did away with the pay-per-view model under a new seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount.
But negotiations have reportedly been going in the right direction, and McGregor all but confirmed he’s come to an agreement for his next fight, which is rumored for International Fight Week in July.
“The rumors are true!” McGregor wrote on Instagram. “Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again! Call your grandma! Nanny we did it! Watch and pay me. F*ck you pay me. You fat Irish prick you don’t have my money I put your brain to sleep. See ya’s in the casinos after, the Mac loves ya’s all, I got love for ya’s all it’s an honor it’s light work it’s easy.
“For life and eternity, it’s McGregor. Big Money Mac Daddy McGregor. I expect fawning of the highest for life. I do this fight game easy peezy. The sound of my shots off the head go ‘bing’ in green dot laser form. Watch divine magic when I fight. Hey Paramount Plus, see you guys soon. I’m so excited! And born ready!”
Beyond quoting Joe Pesci’s character from the 1995 film Casino, McGregor touted his return as well as his enthusiasm about working with Paramount with his fight expected to air on the Paramount+ streaming service.
McGregor has been in talks with the UFC for several months about his potential return with the Irish superstar initially pushing for a spot on the upcoming White House card in June.
But that event is coming at a complete loss for the UFC with the company expected to lose north of $60 million promoting the show, which includes fighter salaries. As the biggest draw in the history of the UFC, McGregor’s next fight will undoubtedly command a high price for tickets, merchandising and advertising — all sources of immense profit for the UFC when he competes.
On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission is expected to approve a new slate of dates for the upcoming UFC calendar, which includes a major card planned for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11. That is expected to serve as UFC 329 for International Fight Week and possibly the landing spot for McGregor’s next fight.
For now, let the speculation begin as McGregor teases his return as he plans to fight for the first time since suffering a broken leg in 2021.
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