Conor McGregor being ‘kept from my livelihood:’ ‘They’re not going to let me fight in December’

Conor McGregor has released a new Twitter voice recording claiming he’s being kept from fighting on Dec. 16, 2023.

“The Notorious” has repeatedly said he planned to fight on that date, with UFC President, Dana White, hemming and hawing over the situation when asked to comment. The obvious impediment: McGregor’s continued absence from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug testing pool, which he left to heal a badly broken leg (see it).

UFC could request USADA to waive a six-month mandatory testing period to get McGregor back into the cage, but between McGregor’s sudden size increase and new legal troubles, the optics may be a little too gnarly for them to do it.

The sidelined McGregor spent Saturday night in Ireland releasing several Twitter voice recordings, cheering on his teammate, Brad Katona, during UFC 292’s “Prelims” undercard (full results here). As the night went on the recordings got more and more slurred, until Mac was singing Chris Weidman’s walkout song and sharing slam poetry-style commentary on the fights.

Look, we’re not sure what he was up to. But, he sounded pretty drunk. Shocker!

A slightly less slurred McGregor returned with more thoughts on UFC 292 this afternoon (Sun., Aug. 20, 2023), and in the middle of his event review he dropped some pretty big information on his next UFC fight.

“They’re not ... they’re not going to let me fight in December, ladies and gentlemen,” a distraught sounding McGregor said. “You seen what happened to Chris Weidman? Imagine what that injury is and to be kept — I feel like I’ve been kept from my livelihood.”

“I’m not gonna air grievances, I’m gonna bite down and soldier on,” he continued. “I’m ready. I’m ready, yeah? I wanted and announced December 16th. I’ve given everything. So, you know, it’s not gonna happen. It doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen.

“But anyway. I hold the power, we’re just gonna keep on doing our thing,” McGregor concluded. “Like I said, I’m in a great spot and I’ll see you all soon, hopefully early next year. Please God, come on. Ari. Ari [Emanuel, Endeavor CEO]! I’m ready, yeah? December 16th, I’m ready if anyone wants to go.”

He then made a strange callout to former Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) head, Bob Bennett, implying his team had reached out to the commission to try and somehow resolve their issue with UFC.

“Nevada State Athletic Commission and Bob Bennett, retired,” McGregor said. “Un-retire! Ring Bob Bennett, tell the commission what’s the story! Because I’m being kept from my livelihood here! And turns out Bob’s retired and I’m like, ‘What the f—!’”

As for UFC’s side of this, White was asked following UFC 292 if there was any update regarding McGregor’s return and he had a one word answer.

“No.”

For more TUF 31-related (and Conor McGregor) news and notes click here.