-
Advertisement
SportOther Sport

He’s back – or is he? Conor McGregor says he WILL fight on UFC 200 card after all

Irish star says on-again off-again fight is back on – though UFC haven’t confirmed

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
Conor McGregor, right, trades punches with Nate Diaz during their UFC 196 welterweight mixed martial arts match in Las Vegas. Photo: AP
Reuters

Conor McGregor said on Monday he is back on the UFC 200 card though there has been no confirmation from the Ultimate Fighting Championship on the Irish featherweight’s return.

UFC president Dana White said last week McGregor had been pulled from his rematch with Nate Diaz on the July 9 card in Las Vegas after refusing to fly to the United States for a news conference and promotional work.

McGregor, who surged through the featherweight ranks before knocking out champion Jose Aldo in 13 seconds in December, has become the UFC’s hottest property with his outrageous trash-talking outside the cage and vicious skills inside it.

Advertisement

While there has been speculation Jon Jones could step into the main event at UFC 200 to fight for the light heavyweight title, the former champion’s laboured win over Ovince Saint Preux on Sunday may have prompted White to give his most bankable asset another chance.

Diaz has said he would only fight McGregor and that he would take a vacation rather than fight a replacement.

Advertisement
UFC president Dana White speaks beside an empty chair where Conor McGregor was supposed to sit during a news conference for UFC 200, Friday, April 22. Photo: AP
UFC president Dana White speaks beside an empty chair where Conor McGregor was supposed to sit during a news conference for UFC 200, Friday, April 22. Photo: AP
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x