Former UFC fighter Josh Thomson believes the delay in the return of former double champion Conor McGregor to the octagon is related to the fact that the Irishman has one fight left on his current contract.
Thomson said on the WEIGHING IN podcast:
I think people are assuming that Conor is gonna come back and fight Michael Chandler. I don't think we're gonna see Conor this year. Like Dana came out the other day and goes 'Look, you know, when Conor's ready, we'll see Conor fight'. I think that's BS also, I think right now you're seeing a holdout by the UFC on his contract. He has one fight left, the UFC never wants their fighter to go away with one fight left on the contract.
McGregor last stepped into the octagon against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 at UFC 264, a fight Conor lost by technical knockout after breaking his leg. He has 22 wins and six losses on his mixed martial arts record.