Conor McGregor is once again sharing mysterious messages on social media, suggesting there may be a disagreement between him and the UFC. This conflict typically arises when the UFC prolongs McGregor’s absence from the octagon, a situation that has occurred multiple times. McGregor refrained from fighting during the pandemic due to his significant revenue contributions, and the UFC did not seek a USADA exemption for him to compete in 2023, despite his injury meeting the criteria for ‘exceptional circumstances’. As a result, McGregor remained without a fight scheduled until the middle of 2024, with uncertainty surrounding any potential rebooking, possibly even as far out as 2025.
There are indications that McGregor might be contemplating departing from the UFC after fulfilling his two remaining fight obligations. In a recent social media post, McGregor mentioned feeling liberated and utilized hashtags like #FreeTheMac, suggesting he might be exploring options beyond the UFC, such as Bare Knuckle FC, a promotion where he also holds a stake.
It’s evident that McGregor is eager to step back into the ring, but business factors within the UFC, including upcoming broadcasting negotiations and the expenses tied to a major September event, might be causing delays in his return. McGregor has previously shown allegiance to the UFC, but if his anticipated match against Michael Chandler in December continues to be postponed, there could be repercussions. McGregor envisions a sense of freedom on the horizon, and if the UFC fails to fulfill its commitments, we may witness more than just vague social media insinuations from the renowned fighter.
