Conor McGregor says he’s “virtually again” and goals to return to the UFC Octagon in July as he recovers from a damaged leg.
McGregor’s aggressive future was unsure after sustaining an damage throughout a three-way match with Dustin Poirier in July 2023, however the Irishman expects his profession to totally resume.
McGregor, who was attending Friday’s Bellator 275 in Dublin, advised Extreme MMA, “Day-to-day, I am feeling higher. They inform me to take it simple, however I really feel like I can go. I really feel like I want to drag again on myself, so that is Form of doing… I am pleased with it. I am virtually again and that is it.”
The 33-year-old believes he could possibly be again in competition by April, with the UFC’s annual Worldwide Battle Week on July 2 in Las Vegas a attainable return date.
McGregor has hinted that if Charles Oliveira holds up his UFC Light-weight Championship protection in opposition to Justin Gethje in Could, the pair may battle within the July protection.
MacGregor: “They inform me to take it simple, however I really feel like I can go.”
“Possibly in case your man [Oliveira] “Sensible, he would possibly give it one other month or two,” McGregor mentioned. “July sounds good to me. I am unable to say, too early. However in July, if I argue in April and Could and June and July, I can slap most of those guys within the head on the finish of April, you recognize what I am saying? The mast could possibly be a battle.”
McGregor suffered back-to-back defeats by Pourier in 2023 and moved as much as ninth within the light-weight rankings, however the Irishman insists there must be extra respect for his title and believes different fighters are imitating his type.
“It’s time for this recreation to begin giving me respect for various combating kinds – my floor, my capturing down, my capturing up,” McGregor mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what occurs with my legs, I dash into open guard. I used to be sooner in open guard. I used to be enjoying open guard assaults.
“Individuals will give me my respect for all elements of my recreation. Even the downwards, the elbows, the kicks.
McGregor suffered back-to-back defeats to Pourier in 2023, shifting as much as ninth within the light-weight rankings.
“Even since that battle, you see folks making an attempt to do it and make it. It is not the identical. There are ranges to this recreation. The sport will perceive and provides me my respect for my many elements of my recreation.”
“I am the double champion. I went to a unique sport. I got here again. I do know it. I haven’t got to show it.
“It is nearly coming again and competing and getting myself right into a primal state and moving into and having fun with myself, placing on a present for the followers. That is it.
“As soon as I get off my leg and really feel that feeling once I’m kicking a physique, and once I’m again and again and I really feel like that, then I am going to have the ability to inform time.”
