“El Cucuy” Addresses Controversy Surrounding Eye Poke Incident

Ferguson took to Instagram to voice his perspective on the recent loss, pointing to the illicit eye poke as a pivotal turning point in the match. Despite significant impairment to his vision, he maintained a fighter’s spirit, refusing to bow out prematurely. Ferguson reiterated his determination to overcome this setback and work closely with his team, including Dana White and Hunter Campbell, to strategize his future in UFC.

It’s noteworthy to remember that before his recent downward spiral, Ferguson maintained an impressive 12-fight winning streak spanning seven years. His streak was halted by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in a brutal five-round bout. The remainder of his winless run featured battles against high-ranking Lightweights like Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, and Michael Chandler. With the recent losses to Nate Diaz and Bobby Green, however, he now faces defeats from unranked opponents. Regardless of the challenges, “El Cucuy” remains hopeful of redeeming his position and achieving future victories.

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Delays and Frustrations: A Conversation with Michael Chandler

In a recent conversation with Daniel Cormier on YouTube, Chandler shared the public’s mounting frustration with the ongoing delays. Still, he stresses the need for patience, reminding everyone that this sort of delay is par for the course when signing up for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 31.

He voices the shared curiosity and irritation, stating, “It is a moving target and I do understand the intrigue, I understand the annoyance for a lot of people and I understand how quickly people want answers.” Chandler underscores the importance of patience during this uncertain period, insisting that he is controlling what he can and is prepared to “keep moving forward.”

Speculation vs. Reality: Chandler’s View on McGregor’s Return

Addressing the swirling rumors regarding McGregor’s return, Chandler affirms his belief that the Irish sports star will step back into the ring. He’s optimistic that McGregor wouldn’t lead fans on a wild goose chase, stating, “I don’t think he wants to stain his legacy by leading us all down this road of, ‘I’m doing The Ultimate Fighter, I’m fighting Michael Chandler’ then ‘Oh, by the way, never mind. I’m not coming back.’”

Chandler reveals his strategy should the fight occur, aiming to “knock him [McGregor] out within the first two rounds.” He predicts the fight will be “one of the biggest pay-per-views that we have ever seen.”

McGregor himself appears to confirm this anticipation, albeit in his usual audacious style, with a now-deleted tweet, “Ya’s all shut up and wait. Silence! A roar from the throne. Patience, peasants.”

So, with McGregor’s words in mind, all that’s left for fans is to practice the virtue of patience as we eagerly await the anticipated face-off.

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Conor McGregor, the dynamic former two-division champion, has kept fans and pundits alike guessing about his UFC return. Having last fought in July 2021 at UFC 264, where a leg injury marked a premature end to his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, McGregor has remained largely absent from the octagon. His only involvement with the UFC this year has been as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter, where he faced off (in words, not fists) with Michael Chandler.

The USADA Hurdle: McGregor’s Return Delayed?

Further casting shadows over McGregor’s potential return is his exit from the USADA testing pool during recovery. His re-entry into the pool – a prerequisite to compete – demands a six-month wait period. May saw rumors of an imminent McGregor re-entry into the testing pool, but the official USADA website suggests otherwise. Halfway into the year, the clock is ticking for McGregor if he intends to make an appearance before 2023 closes.

Dana White’s Outlook: Uncertain but Unfazed

UFC President Dana White, despite acknowledging the potential fall-through of a McGregor fight, remains unperturbed. Speaking at the UFC Vegas 74 post-fight press conference, White expressed his admiration for the business’ unpredictable nature. He also hinted at McGregor’s renewed interest in returning to the octagon, likely fueled by his involvement in The Ultimate Fighter. However, he highlighted the difficulty in motivating fighters like McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who are flush with cash, to return to the ring.

McGregor’s Financial Status: A Barrier or Boon to His Return?

2021 saw Conor McGregor top the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes, thanks to a lucrative sale of his Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey brand. Despite his financial success, recent activities suggest a desire for a comeback. This includes the release of a Netflix miniseries, McGregor Forever, focusing on his previous fights and the journey back to the ring post-injury.

The McGregor vs Chandler Fight: Inevitable or Improbable?

The expected return of McGregor was supposed to culminate in a face-off with Michael Chandler. However, his USADA re-entry status has cast doubts on the feasibility of this matchup. Despite the uncertainty, Dana White and the UFC seem to take it in stride. As per White, they are prepared to navigate any issues that come with booking a fight for an athlete of McGregor’s stature. Regardless of whether McGregor changes his mind or any complications arise, UFC continues business as usual.

The Wait Continues: McGregor’s Return Still a Mystery

As it stands, fans are left eagerly waiting for an official announcement regarding McGregor’s MMA return. With rumors of a potential McGregor vs. Chandler fight and a looming pay-per-view event in December, anticipation is high. Yet, without a confirmed re-entry into the USADA testing pool, it remains to be seen whether the “Mystic Mac” will make his grand return in 2023. As the UFC navigates these uncertainties, it appears that it might be business as usual after all – with or without McGregor.

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