Dana White’s recent comments on the USADA and Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon have generated controversy. Get the details and McGregor’s response in this article.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Dana White expressed confidence in a fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler before the end of 2023. |
| White seemed dismissive of the USADA’s role in regulating UFC athletes. |
| McGregor plans to compete in December, aligning with White’s expectations. |
Dana White, the UFC president, recently made comments that sparked controversy regarding the USADA and Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon. In an interview with TSN, White expressed his confidence in a potential fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler before the end of 2023. However, he also seemed to disregard the role of the USADA in regulating UFC athletes, which generated negative publicity on social media. White clarified his statements at the UFC 290 post-fight press conference, stating that there are other business matters to handle before discussing McGregor’s return and emphasizing the need to wait and see how the situation unfolds.
The Background
Conor McGregor, a former two-division champion, has been out of action since July 2021 due to a broken leg suffered in a loss to Dustin Poirier. As per the USADA’s regulations, McGregor is required to be tested six months in advance of his return fight after being removed from the testing pool. This requirement has raised questions about when McGregor will be eligible to compete again.
White’s Initial Comments
During the interview with TSN, White was asked about McGregor’s status and the possibility of him competing soon. White expressed his confidence in a fight between McGregor and Chandler before the end of 2023 but also stated that he doesn’t talk about things until they happen. He seemed dismissive of the USADA’s role, saying, "Who cares what USADA says, we’ll see what happens when it happens." These comments received backlash on social media, with many interpreting them as White disregarding the USADA’s importance.
White’s Clarification
At the UFC 290 post-fight press conference, White addressed the negative publicity surrounding his comments. He clarified that his intention was not to disrespect the USADA but rather to emphasize that there are other business matters to handle before discussing McGregor’s return. White criticized reporters for misconstruing his statements and creating stories that misrepresented his views. He reiterated that it doesn’t matter what anybody says; the outcome of McGregor’s situation remains uncertain, and it’s best to wait and see.
McGregor’s Response
McGregor took to Twitter to respond to questions about the potential matchup with Chandler. He stated that he plans to compete in December, aligning with White’s expectations. McGregor’s tweet indicated that he and White are on the same page regarding his return, despite the controversy surrounding White’s initial comments.
Conclusion
Dana White’s recent comments regarding the USADA and Conor McGregor’s return have sparked controversy and negative publicity. While White expressed confidence in a fight between McGregor and Chandler before the end of 2023, he seemed dismissive of the USADA’s role in regulating UFC athletes. However, White clarified his statements at the post-fight press conference, emphasizing the need to handle other business matters before discussing McGregor’s return. McGregor’s response on Twitter indicated that he plans to compete in December, aligning with White’s expectations. The outcome of McGregor’s situation remains uncertain, and it’s best to wait and see how it unfolds.
References
- TSN: Link to TSN website
- UFC: Link to UFC website
