Conor McGregor: Dana White makes very frustrating but true admission on UFC return
CONOR MCGREGOR is holding up the progression of the lightweight division, UFC president Dana White has admitted
Earlier this year, it was understood the UFC were keen on having their poster boy make his long-awaited return to the Octagon in the autumn.
Those plans well and truly went up in smoke at the UFC 223 media day in New York when the Irishman attacked a bus carrying his fellow fighters.
McGregor, 29, was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief for his latest misdemeanour and will appear in court next week to explain his actions.
And according to White, the outcome of the Dubliner’s legal proceedings will determine how the UFC press on with the lightweight division.
"Yeah that’s the fight to make,” White said during the latest episode of the UFC Unfiltered Podcast when asked about a potential fight between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“But there’s no fight to make until we figure out what happens with Conor.”
White was supposed to hold crunch talks with McGregor last month in Liverpool but failed to meet ‘The Notorious’.
White is now hoping to rendezvous with Ireland’s first UFC belt holder before the commencement of his court case.
Conor McGregor goes on wild rampage during UFC media day
There’s no fight to make until we figure out what happens with Conor
“It didn’t work out, now we’re working on meeting in between Chicago and his court date in New York,” he said.
“Something happened. Something went down with him personally and couldn’t do it.”
White’s latest comments on McGregor’s future came a little over 48 hours before ‘Mystic Mac’ claimed he was on course to make his return at UFC 224 before his rampage in Brooklyn.
In an Instagram post reflecting on his placing in Forbes' Highest-Paid Athletes list for 2017, McGregor said: "Made it to number 4 on the Forbes list this year.
"If I had of fought on the agreed May 12th bout in Rio De Janeiro, I would have surpassed Ronaldo and Messi to take 2nd place.
“Something came up however... Ah well, still under 30.”