Midnight Mania: Dana Walks Back McGregor Update, Leaves 2024 Door Open

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

UFC CEO Dana White still doesn’t expect Conor McGregor to return in 2024, but he won’t rule it out completely.

A couple days ago, White dropped an unfortunate update on McGregor’s much-anticipated UFC comeback, explaining that he would not be returning this year after his pinky toe derailed a scheduled July clash versus Michael Chandler. Seeing as McGregor’s injury was relatively minor, it was a surprise that the delay would be so long, and there have been some strong reactions.

McGregor himself, for example, was upset! He took to Twitter to argue his case and demand a December booking. His would-be opponent, Michael Chandler, is still unconvinced that the fight is off, though he did offer up one replacement option. McGregor also reached out to White directly, which resulted in at least a mild walk back of his former comments.

White elaborated further on the McGregor negotiations and explained, “You can imagine after I said that, Conor was blowing me up, going ‘I’ll definitely fight this year!’ When we get to a point where we’re setting a fight, and I believe that a Conor McGregor fight is going to happen, I will announce it. As of right now, I believe that Conor will not fight this year.

“Conor saying he wants to fight in December? We’ll see how it plays out.”

White’s quote isn’t confidence-inspiring, but at least it’s slightly more optimistic than the previous update?

those 2014 training sessions.

It’s been a really long time since Stipe Miocic won a fight.

kick ass and rip cigs.

Surgical destruction of the lead leg makes for a great high kick setup.

Elbow war!

Random Land

This dog’s face is the funniest thing I’ve seen in weeks (don’t get mad at me in the comments, it’s a bit!).

Midnight Music: Alternative, 1995

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.