THE UFC’s stance on Conor McGregor’s return has been revealed.
The Irishman was set to end his octagon hiatus last June against Michael Chandler but was forced out of their long-overdue showdown with a broken left pinky toe.
UFC supremo Dana White forecast an autumn return for the promotion’s poster boy late last year but has seemingly since changed his tune.
McGregor, 36, has two fights left on his contract with the UFC, who Chandler claims haven’t changed their position on who they want ‘The Notorious’ to fight next.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said: “Conor is always a part of [my conversations with the UFC] man.
“His road back to the UFC goes through me… That is the UFC’s sentiment, and I believe that’s his sentiment.
“My heart of hearts says Conor is coming back at some point. But, if I’m a betting man, if I’m using my brain, I wouldn’t put money on it.
“But that’s where I’m at today, right now, I’m focused on a blonde dude from Liverpool.”
Chandler, who faces Brit Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 in Miami in April, wasted the best part of two years waiting for a lucrative showdown with Mystic Mac to come to fruition.
And he has serious doubts about him ever setting foot inside the octagon again.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
Read all of our latest Conor McGregor stories.
He continued: “So, my heart of hearts says I’m not sure, for sure. He has to come back to his first love…
“Every single thing that he has can be tied back, in some way or another, to the UFC, the opportunity that they gave him.
“Does he want this legacy to be, my last fight I broke my leg and touted the greatest comeback in combat sports history?
“Fooled everybody for a couple of years and then signed on the dotted line to fight Michael Chandler and then pulled out of the fight.
[But], if I was a betting man, I ain’t putting money on [him fighting again].”
McGregor, 36, hasn’t fought since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The Dubliner was recently linked to a crossover boxing match with Logan Paul.
And he’s since revealed he’s more intrigued by the prospect of competing in the influencer boxing scene than inside the cage.
He told The Schmo: “I am more inclined now for this influencer (boxing), or whatever you call it, because it’s astronomical money.
“Astronomical, the figures. So who was there? There’s Jake [Paul], Logan, and f*****g KSI.
“I like the three of these guys, and then all of the other ones that are tussling around. It’s an interesting little side pocket branch, we call it.”
FAN favourite darts icon Adrian Lewis has joked that he almost put off his highly-anticipated return to the oche after finding out Phil Taylor could be involved in the punditry.
Lewis, 40, recently announced he would be coming back to darts after an “indefinite break” due to personal reasons.
The two-time world champion lost his PDC Tour Card last year due to inactivity following his decision to sit out the PDPA World Championship qualifiers.
Jackpot, who has been caring for his ill wife since his career break, is now eyeing a return at the Modus Super Series in May.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Jason [Thame] asked me going back last year I think it was and I wasn’t quite ready.
“Now I’m getting there, hopefully setting a date. I think it’s around May time, so looking forward to it.
“I’m enjoying throwing again in patches, only when I’m playing well.
“I think they only want me on there for a bit of friction. Hopefully I’ll ruffle a few feathers and have a laugh.
“I think I might wear one of those Peter Wright wigs when I’m playing.”
But Lewis joked that he almost considered taking a few more years off after learning old friend and opponent Phil Taylor will be doing the punditry on the Modus Super Series.
BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
Most World Titles
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
He added: “When I heard he was doing the punditry, I thought put me off for a couple more years until he retires fully.
“I’m used to him slagging me off anyway when I’m playing darts so you know nothing will change there.”
The Power previously acted as a mentor to Lewis when he was breaking on to the scene.
And the pair went on to have a number of memorable face-offs over the years, including Grand Slam, World Matchplay and Masters finals.
While they also played alongside each other in the PDC World Cup of Darts, winning for England in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
MAFS UK’s Amy Kenyon has revealed a behind-the-scenes secret from the reunion – confessing she’s “not proud”.
Last night saw the Married At First Sight UK stars back together for an explosive reunion episode.
And Amy later took to Instagram to share some behind-the-scenes gossip.
She revealed that, after a boozy session on camera, she and Adam Nightingale had to go back the next morning to film their confessionals.
Amy wrote: “I can’t even explain how unwell (hungover) I felt the next morning when we were told we had to go back and film our little interview section.
“Last night’s hair and make up and we couldn’t even be bothered to dress our bottom halves.
“I had a full jumpsuit hanging off me at the back! Not a very proud moment. Not sure how @adam,nightingale.1990 still looks so good. My look is giving dragged through an actual hedge.”
Amy and Adam have faced romance rumours since they stopped shooting last year.
And last night he left her stunned as he made a very cheeky joke about their potential relationship.
Speaking in a confessional with Adam, Amy said: “I’m not sure what the future holds for me and Adam. I don’t think the book is fully closed.”
But her jaw dropped when Adam replied: “Maybe some little mini Adams could be on the cards… or maybe we could just practice.”
Adam originally tied the knot with Polly Sellman, while Amy’s show groom was Luke Debono.
And Adam recently insisted he isn’t ruling out a relationship with Amy in the future.
He told The Sun: “I feel like there is chemistry between me and Amy. We do flirt a lot, there’s a lot of flirt banter.
“Whether something progresses, who knows.”
Liverpool, Feb 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Liverpool head coach Arne Slot praised Mohamed Salah for his incredible form so far this season. The Dutchman surely backs his prized forward to be in the top nominees for the...
The post Liverpool need to win trophies to bolster Salah’s Ballon d’Or push, says Slot appeared first on Social News XYZ.
The post New Delhi: BJP and AAP councillors shout slogans during the MCD House meeting #Gallery appeared first on Social News XYZ.
MANCHESTER United should give Paul Pogba a THIRD chance because he’s still better than any of their current midfielders, claims Old Trafford legend Dwight Yorke.
And Treble-winning hero Yorke reckons United are not safe yet from relegation and need all the help they can get.
Pogba, 31, is available on a free transfer after serving a doping ban and Yorke believes United should take a punt on the former France international.
Yorke said: “I would give Paul Pogba a third chance, definitely, because of what United currently have and because of what we know he is capable of producing.
“United have struggled, and Pogba is a damn good player.
“Even though he’s 31, I think he’s far better than what we have now. And if you’re going to get a player for free, who’s far better than all our players in midfield, then you do it.
“With two months left, I would say, ‘Let’s have a look’. Give him a contract.
“You’ve got time here to prove yourself. You can come and play and help us out with the situation.
“I’m sure Pogba would be very keen. Maybe he might want a long-term deal because of the security.”
United’s penny-pinching bosses would balk at a mega-money deal for former Old Trafford star Pogba, who twice left Old Trafford on a free transfer to Juventus..
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
But beleaguered boss Ruben Amorim is floundering after a comeback draw at Everton left his team deep in the bottom half of the table.
Yorke is refusing to rule out United being relegated and delivered a withering verdict on Amorim and his underperforming players in an interview with casinobeats.com.
And the former Trinidad and Tobago international contrasted Amorim’s struggles since arriving at Old Trafford in November with the immediate impact that former United boss David Moyes made on his return to Everton.
MANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison Park
The Red Devils were slammed as “embarrassing” by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.
But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.
Amorim’s men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…
Andre Onana – 7
United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.
Noussair Mazraoui 69′ – 4
Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three – forced there because of a defensive injury crisis
Harry Maguire – 4
Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.
Diogo Dalot – 5
At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.
Casemiro 62′ – 2
The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.
Rasmus Hojlund 69′ – 3
Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.
Subs:
Alejandro Garnacho 62′ – 7
Injected some desperately needed pace and passion.
Leny Yoro 69′ – 6
Should have been on much earlier.
Chido Obi-Martin 69′ – 5
The 17-year-old has a presence for sure.
Yorke said: “We’re in 15th place. People still think that we are safe. I am not so sure.
“There’s still a long way. And the more games you are losing, the harder it gets.
“Amorim is in a difficult place right now. He needs to find a way out.
“I do believe that despite the challenges of where United are, as a manager, you’ve got to stabilize the club.
“How could David Moyes go to a team that was struggling more than United and suddenly turn that around?
“Moyes has done well at Everton but certainly we’ve got better players at United. Somehow, he’s managed to turn it around while we continue to struggle.”
“I’m not saying that Amorim’s not a good manager. We’re not asking you to beat Liverpool, we’re not asking you to beat Arsenal.
“All we’re saying is, just win some football matches against teams that you should be beating.
“And if you’re not going to win against the big boys, and you’re not going to start winning against the small boys, when are you going to start?”
To read the full Dwight Yorke interview, go to https://casinobeats.com/dwight-yorke-interview/
In a deeply emotional message shared with his millions of followers on Instagram, Dwayne Johnson is mourning the heartbreaking loss of his beloved dog, Hobbs. The actor and wrestling icon expressed his grief, revealing the saddening loss. He also reflected the profound impact of the beloved furbaby had on his family, as well as his […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire