Coach John Kavanagh said Monday that Conor McGregor would not headline UFC 300 in April. His return has been postponed to International Fight Week in July, with the opponent yet to be confirmed.
The 35-year-old fighter has been out of action since a leg injury in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in summer 2021. In February this year, it was announced that the former double champ would face former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler in his return.
However, the fight could never secure a date, as McGregor was reluctant to enter USADA's testing pool. USADA's policy dictates that a fighter must spend six months in the pool to be granted clearance. It is speculated that the UFC has been purposefully delaying McGregor's return so he can headline International Fight Week.
"We were hoping for April, that was the hope, that is what we were told, now it seems to be the summertime," Kavanagh told The MMA Hour.
"Are they holding him back for International Fight Week? I don't really know. It's a knock back that we were hearing April, but now it's July. It's not the end of the world. It is an extra couple of months. It's not great, but hey, you're enjoying your training at the moment, let's just keep that going."
Kavanagh confirmed that "The Notorious" had been back in full training, partnering with former PFL champion Brendan Loughnane in recent weeks.
USADA hurdle
The UFC's partnership with USADA is set to conclude on December 31, but McGregor will remain on the sidelines for the mandated six-month duration. USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart confirmed that McGregor had re-entered the USADA testing pool as of October 8.
The Notorious has received two negative tests in hopes of expediting his return. The Irish fighter expressed his desire to headline UFC's 300th pay-per-view show.
"April is a lovely run-up for me and I'd be happy with that. I'm in a good spot, I've been training. I've been leaving also," he said.
“But I've been training and April seems like a good time to come back. It's almost three years now that I've been left from my way of living. So I'm eager to get back.”
However, UFC president Dana White then confirmed that the Irish fighter would still be going through USADA testing and emphasized a summer return for him.
"He's good, he's ready. He wants to . He's got to sit out for the six months to get back into the drug-testing pool. So, realistically, could be looking at him next summer," he said.
However, White also refused to rule out McGregor headlining UFC 300.
"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," he said.
"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."
Now, White and his matchmaking team are currently in the process of devising fights for the upcoming UFC 300 card.
