Conor McGregor says he has 'new date' for UFC return as Ilia Topuria lashes out at Irishman
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Published 23/06/2024 at 08:29 GMT
Conor McGregor withdrew from his much-awaited UFC comeback bout with Michael Chandler just two weeks before he was due to enter the Octagon once more, but the 35-year-old Irishman says he has a "new date" to return. Meanwhile, current UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is among those to have questioned McGregor's actions, describing him as "mentally broken".
Conor McGregor.
Image credit: Getty Images
Conor McGregor says he has a "new date" to return to the Octagon, as he plots his way back into the UFC from his latest injury.
McGregor revealed on social media earlier this week that a "lapse in concentration" was responsible for his withdrawal from his comeback fight against Michael Chandler, resulting in him suffering a broken toe.
But the Irishman, speaking at the 3Arena Dublin on Saturday night, sought to make clear that he will still return to the fight game despite the setback - without revealing when the new date is.
He said: "I'm still here rocking away.
"I had a little lapse in concentration and I had to reschedule the bout so I'm a little upset over that but it's keeping me dialled in.
"It's keeping me focused. I can't rock around like I'm after showing up, like I'm doing my job, the job is not done. That's not bad for someone like me.
"I'm onwards towards the new date and take my lessons learned.
"It was a lapse in concentration. If I was any one of these other little bums that can't move, that have no footwork, that don't rely on their skills, then I would be OK.
"I've done it before, I've made the walk a multitude of times under those circumstances and given these bums an advantage over me that they don't even deserve.
"So now I'm dialling it in, I'm getting this training camp correct, I'm walking in there 100% Conor McGregor, injury free, perfection is on the menu with me."
Some around the UFC have been unimpressed by McGregor's actions though, with Ilia Topuria - the current UFC Featherweight champion - wading into the situation around the 35-year-old's withdrawal.
Posting on X, Topuria wrote: "You [McGregor] are mentally broken. That is your biggest lesson.
"You doubt yourself, your abilities, your preparation, that's why you don't show up. You are a b****."
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