CONOR MCGREGOR ANNOUNCES SURGERY AFTER UFC 329 INJURY

"The Notorious" Wrote On Social Media About The Injury And His Plans For The Future

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor announced he’ll undergo surgery following a knee injury sustained during the main event of UFC 329.

McGregor ended a five-year hiatus when he returned to the Octagon at T-Mobile Arena on July 11. But his main event fight with former featherweight and BMF champion Max Holloway lasted just 69 seconds when a knee injury sustained in the bout’s opening seconds proved too much to overcome and referee Mike Beltran was forced to wave off the contest.

Immediately following the bout, McGregor shared an update to his followers on social media.

“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” he wrote on X.

“I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”

McGregor continued and directly addressed suggestions online that he was carrying an injury into the bout.

“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight, I cannot believe what has happened,” he wrote.

“The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow.”

McGregor then defiantly declared that he will fight back from his latest injury setback to return to the Octagon again.

“I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”

Speaking to reporters backstage at the UFC 329 post-fight press conference, UFC President and CEO Dana White offered his thoughts on McGregor’s situation.

“Listen, everybody who knows anything about the fight business – and it’s been a big topic of discussion leading up to this fight – five years off, in this sport, is rough,” he said.

“Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio, or whatever else, after a five-year layoff. And, well, there you go.

“We’re assuming [he sustained a] blown ACL. I’m no doctor, but that’s what I figured when I saw it, and the doctors think the same thing, too.”

Conor McGregor is consoled by Bruce Buffer after suffering a loss against Max Holloway in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

White said he wasn’t sure what the future held for McGregor, but he didn’t have to wait long for “The Notorious” to make clear his plans as the Irishman posted an update to his Instagram on Monday.

“Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again,” he wrote on X.

- SIMON HEAD, ON X: @SIMONHEADSPORT

'WHAT YOU DON'T SEE...' - DOCTOR BREAKS DOWN FULL EXTENT OF CONOR MCGREGOR'S INJURY AGAINST MAX HOLLOWAY

 McGregor's UFC return ended with a knee injury after just 69 seconds.

A doctor has explained the diagnostic details that might have been missed amid speculation over the extent of Conor McGregor's knee injury in his comeback fight in Las Vegas.

McGregor 'blew out' his knee right at the beginning of his welterweight main event against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday.

The Irishman appeared to injure himself while attempting his first high kick of the fight, which was subsequently awarded to Holloway by technical knockout after just 69 seconds.

McGregor now faces a spell on the sidelines after a five-year hiatus. Holloway promised that McGregor vs Holloway 3 will appear on a future card, acknowledging the unsatisfying manner of the conclusion.

The injured fighter will undergo scans to confirm the extent of his injury, which commentators immediately identified as a potential rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

If that proves to be the case, the 37-year-old can expect to be out of action for several months.

Dr Brian Stutterer is the expert behind a YouTube channel through which he assesses the medical stories that occur in the world of sport and he has been analysing the footage of the abortive UFC 329 bout.

"The commentators were talking about it looked like [McGregor] blew out his knee," said Sutterer in a six-minute video that forensically examines the moments leading up to Holloway's TKO victory.

"I will admit, yes, this position looks like the classic position that you will see with an ACL tear in terms of the rotation of how the foot is externally rotated, the idea that we see a little bit of the knee going inward, the trunk is leaning over his injured side.

Nevertheless, Stutterer offered some reason for doubt about the specific nature of the injury, which UFC head honcho indicated could be an ACL tear, but Stutterer has pointed out can be hastily evaluated even by the UFC's own medical staff at ringside. Only a scan will confirm the reality.

"But what you don't see on this injury is the classic pivot shift that you will sometimes see with an ACL tear," he added.

"Now that doesn't mean that this is not an ACL tear, but you at least don't see that stereotypic kind of pathognomonic shift forward of the tibia and then pop backwards like we would if you could confirm 100% that this was an ACL."

Will McGregor pursue another comeback?

While Holloway said after the fight that the appetite is there to go again after one win each in two McGregor vs Holloway fights, 13 years apart, there has to be some doubt over the 37-year-old's desire to get himself back into the kind of shape that would be required to actually win it.

Saturday's brief appearance was McGregor's first in the octagon since 2021 and marked a third consecutive defeat after back-to-back losses against Dustin Poirier.

McGregor's third consecutive loss dropped him to a 22-7 career record. He hasn't won two in a row since the end of 2016, when he won the UFC lightweight championship by beating Eddie Alvarez.

He lost the belt to Khabib Nurmagomedov by submission two years later.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

- Chris Nee

CONOR MCGREGOR ISSUES WARNING TO MAX HOLLOWAY AHEAD OF UFC RETURN

Conor McGregor will return to action for the first time in five years when he takes on Max Holloway in Las Vegas next weekend

Conor McGregor speaks out(Image: YouTube - The Ariel Helwani Show)

Conor McGregor has warned Max Holloway he will face the full brunt of his welterweight power.

McGregor is a week away from fighting for the first time in five years as he prepares for his rematch with Holloway. The rivals first met in 2013 when the Irishman won a points decision at featherweight. McGregor will fight at 170lb for the fourth time in Las Vegas as he welcomes Holloway to the division.

And McGregor believes the Hawaiian will notice the jump. “I feel great, I feel absolutely amazing,” he told The Mac Life. “The work has been exceptional; no corners cut, you know, no flash. We’ve been quiet this camp, and we’ve been at work, so, that’s confidence. If there’s a lack of confidence, you need to share things to get this ego boost. We don’t need it. We’ll do it on the night. I’m excited by it. I’m excited by my team and my country.

“I love a rematch. Who doesn’t love a rematch? The story builds, the tension builds, the fans get excited, they’ve got comparisons, they’ve got, you know, it’s great for business. I’m all for a good rematch. Listen, there’s a different thud when you fight against me.

"I fought against Max many years ago, and I look forward to my improvements on it. Danger will be everywhere inside the Octagon for Max. We are very aware of him in this gym, in this camp. I’ll be out with my paint brush, you know, ready to put on my masterpiece."

Holloway, however, has no fears over his step up in weight. “My thoughts on the fight being at 170 was like, who cares?" he said. “Weight is just a number. Real gladiators back in the day, they didn’t walk around with a scale.

“You show up and you fight, and I’m a fighter. Open weight class, whatever weight class. I’m glad I get to share the Octagon with him.”

-Martin Domin

TOP 3 BIGGEST BOXING 🥊 GATES

 

Top 3 Biggest Boxing Gates of the 21st Century: Mayweather–Pacquiao, Mayweather–McGregor, and Canelo–Crawford

MIKE TYSON & FLOYD MAYWEATHER SET FOR SPRING 2026 MATCHUP IN BATTLE OF BOXING LEGENDS

The exhibition match between Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather has been officially announced, marking a unique chapter in boxing history that will see two icons return to the ring in spring 2026.

The event was confirmed by production company CSI Sports, which will facilitate broadcast and promotional coverage for the fight. Although the date and venue have not yet been specified, both fighters have signed contracts.

Mike Tyson Vs. Floyd Mayweather

Mike Tyson, who turns 60 next year, is returning after his last ring appearance in November 2024 – a loss to Jake Paul. His professional career featured 50 wins out of 59 contests, including 44 by knockout. Tyson held the world heavyweight title and remains a central figure in the heavyweight division’s history.

Floyd Mayweather, age 48, retired unbeaten following a career spanning five different weight classes, with 50 victories and no defeats. His last official bout occurred in 2017 against Conor McGregor. Since retirement, Mayweather has made several exhibition appearances, most recently facing John Gotti III in August 2025.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 15: Mike Tyson (in black short) and Jake Paul (in silver short) exchange punches during their heavyweight world titles of the Premiere Boxing Championship on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States on November 15, 2024. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Mayweather described the upcoming exhibition as “legendary,” emphasizing his continued legacy in the sport and declaring, “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want”.

Event Details

CSI Sports organizers noted their ambition for the event to break broadcast, streaming, and economic records previously set by Tyson’s 2024 fight. Tyson and Mayweather are expected to compete under special exhibition rules, meaning the result will not affect their professional records. The event is being positioned as “Legend vs. Legend,” with both fighters’ promotional teams and Fight Sports listed as partners. CSI Sports plans to introduce new in-ring technology designed to reshape live boxing presentation and scoring going forward.

Weight And Regulation

Tyson typically fought at heavyweight, weighing 228.4 pounds in a recent bout with Jake Paul; Mayweather’s most recent bouts were in the welterweight division, with his weight at 160.8 pounds against John Gotti III. The exhibition status of the fight allows for flexibility in weight and other conditions.

Broadcasting And Promotion

No broadcasting partner has been finalized, but the involvement of executives with backgrounds at ESPN, DAZN, HBO, and Showtime indicates strong competition for rights. Netflix, which previously aired Tyson’s match with Jake Paul, may also be in contention as a global streaming provider. The Tyson vs. Mayweather exhibition is set to be one of the most talked-about events in contemporary boxing, uniting two generations of fans and highlighting the sport’s evolving dynamics.

- Timothy Wheaton

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV CAME 'VERY CLOSE' TO LOSING UNDEFEATED RECORD IN UFC FIGHT WATCHED BY 26 MILLION RUSSIANS

Khabib Nurmagomedov was largely dominant throughout his career, but he did survive one scare.

‘The Eagle’ achieved a largely unrivaled level of dominance inside the cage, winning all 29 of his professional outings.

Before Nurmagomedov retired in 2020, the Dagestani defeated the likes of Edson Barboza and Al Iaquinta en route to the UFC lightweight title before defending it against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.

But while very few provided any sort of threat to the elite wrestling specialist, one of Nurmagomedov’s final opponents gave him a scare.

Khabib Nurmagomedov admitted Dustin Poirier was ‘very close’ to a submission at UFC 242

11 months on from Nurmagomedov’s UFC 229 win over McGregor – and a year before his final fight – the undefeated Russian faced the then-interim champion, Poirier.

The pair headlined UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, where a crowd full of Nurmagomedov loyalists witnessed ‘The Eagle’ submit ‘The Diamond’ via rear-naked choke in round three.

But the triumph wasn’t without adversity for the champion.

In round two, Poirier threatened to pull off an almighty upset when he attacked Nurmagomedov’s neck with a guillotine choke.

While he ultimately escaped, the Dagestani admitted during his post-fight press conference that the submission was a little too close for comfort.

“The only thing that was very close was the guillotine,” Nurmagomedov said. “First time, it was a very good guillotine.

“First time it was close, second time I give him because I felt like he lost so much energy, so much power. This is part of the game; how I play with my opponents.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s win over Dustin Poirier was watched by roughly 26 million in Russia

Had Poirier found an extra squeeze to force a tap at UFC 242, Nurmagomedov would have lost his undefeated record in front of millions of his compatriots.

A report from Russia Today soon after the event revealed that the Dagestani UFC star’s second lightweight title defense racked up an incredible 26 million views across broadcasting platforms in Russia.

Since retiring from active MMA competition in 2020, Nurmagomedov has frequently appeared in the corners of his teammates and fellow countrymen.

And the 36-year-old’s continued involvement in the sport looks set after Nurmagomedov revealed plans for a new training center in his native Dagestan.

- Harvey Leonard

BOXING LEGEND SAYS FLOYD MAYWEATHER IS NOT THE BEST EVER: "I'M ABSOLUTELY BETTER"

A retired boxing icon has ranked himself higher than Floyd Mayweather Jr as an all-time-great.

‘Money’ Mayweather had a professional boxing career that many fighters could only dream of. Throughout the course of his tenure, he captured no less than 15 world championships across five weight divisions, defeating all 50 of the opponents he faced.

He holds victories over the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez to name a few, all of which are generational greats. He called time on his career back in 2017, just a short while after he stopped MMA legend Conor McGregor in the tenth round of their crossover showdown in August of that year.

Despite many holding Mayweather in the highest regard, there is one legendary fighter who believes he ranks even higher than the 48-year-old from Michigan.

That man is Sugar Ray Leonard, who was asked in a resurfaced interview if he thinks he was a better fighter than Mayweather was during his prime years.

“Absolutely [I was greater than Floyd], and I’m not bragging but then again my mindset as a fighter, as a champion will always tell me I could beat Mayweather, I could beat Tyson, that’s what made me who I became.”

He was then asked how he would have approached a fight with Mayweather and did give him immense credit.

“There’s no one way to fight Floyd Mayweather, he is that good, he is that talented. No one could penetrate his defence, he was one of the best guys out there.”

Leonard has, however, in the past said that his stoppage victory over Mayweather Sr in 1978 gives him the confidence he would win, telling Floyd:

“I knocked your father out. Like father, like son.”

The all-time great had an outstanding career of his own, and is perhaps most notable for being one of the ‘Four Kings’ alongside Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran. ‘Sugar Ray’ won world titles across five weight classes, as well as the undisputed welterweight championship which he held back in 1981. 

- Toby Morgan

MICHAEL CHANDLER URGES CONOR MCGREGOR TO FIGHT AMID RETIREMENT RUMOURS

McGregor hasn't fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, and is yet to announce when he will make his return to the octagon

Michael Chandler is desperate to finally get his long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor

UFC star Michael Chandler has challenged Conor McGregor to a fight, despite the latter's recent hints at retirement.

McGregor - a former dual-weight UFC champion - hasn't fought since losing to rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 nearly four years ago. The Irishman suffered a nasty leg break in the clash, but has since flirted with the idea of making a return to the octagon. Despite his absence from the cage, 'The Notorious' has remained active.

As for Chandler, the UFC lightweight sensation is set to face rising 155lb contender Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 later this month. The American fighter hasn't stepped in the cage since his loss to Charles Oliveira last November. Prior to the Oliveira clash, the former Bellator lightweight champion was waited two years for a shot at 'The Notorious.'

Both fighters were opposing coaches on TUF 31 in 2023, and it seemed they were destined to face each other in the octagon. However, an injury during training forced McGregor to withdraw from their scheduled UFC 303 showdown. Recently, the 36-year-old hinted at retiring from the sport to focus on his ambition to become the Irish president.

Chandler responded to McGregor's remarks in a chat with The Schmo, stating: "He's making that push for the President of Ireland. We'll see how true it is, or how much of a publicity stunt it is. As you guys can see, we had the TUF 31 deal, waited for the Conor fight, got the fight booked; he pulled out. Who knows if he's ever coming back? You can see by my actions of fighting Charles Oliveria in November and now Paddy Pimblett in April, I'm not sitting around waiting for Conor."

He added: "He knows his road back to the UFC goes through me. We have to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31. We still have a contract with both of our names on it, even though he was not a man of his word in showing up. First time he's ever pulled out of a fight was against me in his entire career. I don't think he wants that to be his legacy. However, if he does, I wish him well in his presidential run in Ireland. But if he comes back to the UFC, he has to fight me."

McGregor went viral after dropping some bombshell comments during a recent BKFC media event. He hinted at calling it quits from fighting, stating: "What is going on in Ireland is a travesty. Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability. Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness."

He described the connection between the two nations, saying: "Ireland and America, we are siblings. We consider America our big sibling. So it's important for Ireland to be a peaceful, prosperous country for 40 million Irish Americans to have a place to visit, [to] come back to their home. So we wish for our relationship with the United States to continue, and we wish to be taken care of by the big bro. The United States should look after its little bro. And that's how we feel."

McGregor continued: "I've got two fights on the contract, I'm in negotiations. Last week something happened to me, I went to the White House and my heart bleeds for my country right now. So there's a lot of stuff going on back home, I'm happy with what I've done. There's something else for me that's in my gut right now and that's kind of where I'm going.''

However, McGregor seemingly quickly changed his mind as he claimed that becoming president would not stop him from fighting, but instead fuel his desire to get back in the octagon. When questioned whether he could juggle being a president and a fighter, he responded: "F*****g right I will, of course, are you crazy? That's part of why I want to do it! To be announced as the President of Ireland while having a fight? Imagine that. But for sure, hell yeah, hell yes."

- James Evans

MCGREGOR SPARKS CONTROVERSY WITH KHABIB REMARKS – ‘SHOW YOUR WIFE, FIGHT ME’

Conor McGregor has made some controversial comments about Khabib Nurmagomedov as their feud continues. 

The pair are not on the best of terms, which was summed up when they faced off at UFC 299. The build-up was marred by a lot of controversy. McGregor threw a chair at the team bus during the build-up. The Irishman was then alleged to have disrespected Khabib’s religion during the press conference. Khabib ultimately got his revenge when he submitted McGregor in the fourth round. But a brawl broke out in the aftermath as Khabib jumped over the Octagon. Since then, they have continued to fire verbal shots at each other on social media.

It most recently came to a head after Usman Nurmagomedov beat another Irishman, Paul Hughes. Hughes lost a controversial decision, with many feeling Hughes had done enough. Hughes is known for being a McGregor fan. But during his post-fight comments, Hughes embraced Khabib. He could be heard saying he is not like McGregor but his own man. Khabib also paid his respect to Hughes, suggesting that he was unlike Conor. The Notorious then reacted by alleging that Hughes is not Irish. Now, McGregor has crossed the line by slamming Nurmagomedov.

McGregor’s Outburst

“15 minutes I done aldo 15 seconds. Show your wife. Show yo kids. Cousin hidin. Show us you and your cousins kids together because we have kids here in Ireland that wanna smoke them in competition. Are they competing or what are you saying Ireland vs Dagestan? Where’s your offspring, we can’t wait to see them . The best of Dagestan offspring? Dagestan, what do we think?

“Is this true ? Who’s next cos fatso with the coach whistle won’t fight. Who the [hell] designated this fat [man] as master father? Certainly not his own father. Abdulmanap. And they all know it in Dagestan. Dagestan think you arelips for retiring. Real Dagestan is forever. You are laughed at behind your back in Dagestan. Lazy you are, they say. Fight me and make a 100 million dollars and give it to the entire village of Dagestan! But you won’t, why? Fat lazy scared,” McGregor said   

McGregor’s Mindset

McGregor’s comments show that he is still struggling to deal with the loss. His form was never the same after losing three out of his last four UFC fights. His last bout was in 2021, when he came out second best to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. McGregor also broke his leg, which has kept him out since then. He was meant to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29.

But the fight never went ahead after McGregor withdrew with a broken toe. His next fight has since then not become any clearer. He was linked with a boxing exhibition against Logan Paul. Reports indicated that it could have earned each fighter $250 million. But that does not look like it will get made, while McGregor’s plans to fight in BKFC have also not gained any traction.

- boxingnews.com

JAKE PAUL VS. LOGAN PAUL IN MARCH? WHY FANS SHOULDN'T GET HOPES UP DESPITE ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Jake Paul vs. Logan Paul?

The brothers jointly announced it Tuesday on social media, describing it as “the moment you’ve waited a decade for.”

But there’s mounting speculation − and good reason to believe − this will not be an actual boxing match. Posts from the Paul brothers indicate the event will be streamed March 27 on Max, which falls on a Thursday.

More information is expected this Thursday that likely will clarify the nature of the event.

A Paul brothers fight is not listed on BoxRec, which charts sanctioned professional and amateur bouts. BoxRec does not list exhibitions.

A prospective fight between Logan Paul and Conor McGregor has failed to materialize and Jake Paul has yet to announce his next fight since beating Mike Tyson on Nov. 15 by unanimous decision.

It’ll be hard to top the numbers from Paul’s blockbuster bout against Tyson. That fight, held in front of 72,300 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, generated more than $18 million at the live gate – more than any boxing event in the U.S. outside of Nevada, according to Most Valuable Promotions, a company founded by Paul.

Netflix said its broadcast of the fight peaked with 65 million concurrent livestreams, including 38 million in the U.S.

- Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports

CONOR MCGREGOR PAYS EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO 'TRUE WARRIOR' HE FOUGHT IN HISTORIC UFC TITLE FIGHT

Conor McGregor kept it classy in the immediate aftermath of BKFC KnuckleMania V.

The UFC legend and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship [BKFC] part-owner sat ringside to watch a wild card of fights in front of a record-breaking crowd at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday night.

Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez got knocked out by Jeremey Stephens in the main event.

‘Notorious’ squared off with Stephens in the ring before paying tribute to Alvarez, whom he famously stopped with strikes inside two rounds to become the first dual-weight champion in UFC history nine years ago.

Conor McGregor praises Eddie Alvarez

After exiting the ring, Conor McGregor stopped to recap the main event with The Schmo.

“Phenomenal,” McGregor said when asked about Stephens’ performance.

“All the way through he’s been great. You know, he riled up the crowd, came in, got Eddie emotional, it’s worked in the past.”

The Irishman then turned his attention to Alvarez, who he shared the UFC Octagon with in November 2016.

McGregor added: “Eddie is a true warrior, as tough as it comes.

“A seasoned veteran. An accomplished fighter, and Jeremey whacked him out of there.

“So that was amazing, very good. Every fight was off the charts, no surprise. Bare Knuckle FC is here to say, 100 percent. Bare Knuckle FC, undeniable.”

Conor McGregor sends warning to boxers

Ahead of a truly sensational night of fights, McGregor sent a warning to boxers considering the switch to bare-knuckle.

The 36-year-old insisted a lot of them can successfully make the switch, but he warned that it’s an entirely different sport that only a special type of person can thrive in.

“You know, most of them, if not all of them [could find success],” McGregor said.   

“Do not get it twisted, it is bare-knuckle fighting, it is not boxing. The ruleset is slightly modified, and we have many influences of Division 1 All-American wrestlers, and you know, we’ve got Cuban Olympians that are involved in this sport.

“It’s a bit rougher and tougher than a boxing bout. You know, if you trained in boxing and you’re highly skilled in boxing, for sure it’s going to translate… But you’ve got to have something deep in you that not a lot of people have.”

“So, there’s only one way to find out, have you got it or not, and that’s testing yourself in the truest proving ground in fighting sport – and that’s it. So, let’s see how it goes.”

- Jordan Ellis

SPORTS LUMINARIES SET TO ATTEND TRUMP INAUGURATION

Getty 

A number of sports stars from past and present are set to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Monday, including some stars from the world of combat sports -- where Trump has garnered a number of supporters. In addition to UFC President Dana White, other expected attendees include former boxing stars Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, current boxing stars Jake and Logan Paul and UFC fighter Conor McGregor. Elsewhere in the world of sports, Oilers LW Evander Kane, MLB free agent Noah Syndergaard and former NFLers Brian Urlacher, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are also expected to be seen in the crowd. A number of these athletes are "expected at a black-tie reception" that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will co-host with several prominent sports team owners Monday night before the inaugural balls (AXIOS, 1/19).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is also "planning to attend" the inauguration. Infantino says Trump has been "very supportive of FIFA," and the governing body's next two major tournaments -- the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 men's World Cup -- are set to be staged in the U.S. (USA TODAY, 1/18). Other UFC fighters expected to attend include Jorge Masvidal and heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who celebrated with Trump after retaining the championship in a November bout (NBCNEWS.com, 1/17).

Meanwhile, Trump during a campaign-style rally at D.C.'s Capital One Arena on Sunday said once he is president, he will take action to "keep men out of women's sports" 

- REUTERS

- 

UFC'S CONOR MCGREGOR TAKES SELFIE WITH LIGAN & JAKE PAUL ON BUS TO TRUMP INAUGURATION

UFC superstar Conor McGregor linked up with the Paul brothers, Logan and Jake, while in D.C for Donald Trump's inauguration.

Jake Paul

Conor McGregor and the Paul brothers can get along, after all.

The always-busy UFC superstar was bound to run into Logan or Jake Paul at some point, whether in the boxing ring or outside of it, and that's how it happened on a bus ride to President Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Jake Paul fights Mike Tyson. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

McGregor Meets The Paul Brothers At Long Last

An influencer-turned-boxer, Jake Paul has called out McGregor more times than we can count. Logan Paul is also looking to square off with the Irishman sometime this year, but everything aside, the brothers kept it cordial with McGregor, who was seated next to their mother, all having a laugh.

"Inauguration going great," Jake Paul posted on Monday, McGregor posing for a couple of photos.

Jake Paul 

Paul tagged his company Most Valuable Promotions along with WWE (which shares a parent company with the UFC) and BKFC, which McGregor has part ownership in, possibly alluding to a potential fight in the future. The 28-year-old has taken quite a lot of shots at McGregor over the years but today, it's a ceasefire - not for Dillon Danis though, a teammate and friend of McGregor's.

"The worst day of Dillon Danis's life," Paul's promotion posted on their social media.

Jake Paul 

McGregor and the Paul brothers weren't the only stars en route to Donald Trump's inauguration, with comedian Theo Von jokingly telling McGregor to keep his hands off their mom.

"A couple of best friends?" Kyle Forgeard said, posting a video of McGregor taking a selfie with the Paul brothers.

- Christopher De Santiago

DANA WHITE SHUTS DOWN TALK OF CONOR MCGREGOR FIGHTING LOGAN PAILE

•  Conor McGregor has not fought in any discipline in almost four years

•  The Irishman has been linked with a boxing bout against Logan Paul or KSI

Dana White has ruled out the prospect of Conor McGregor returning to boxing to fight Logan Paul or KSI. 

The Irishman has not fought since his defeat by Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021 and teased on social media last month that he could return in a £200m clash with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in India.

And last week KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, insisted he is 'down' to take on the MMA star in a boxing bout.

KSI took to social media to call out Conor McGregor for a boxing fight in the near future

McGregor's comeback has long been anticipated and he was slated to fight against Michael Chandler last year before he was forced to pull out after suffering an injury in training.

But the 36-year-old is still contracted to UFC and the organisation's president and CEO, Dana White, suggested this will prevent McGregor making his comeback as a boxer. 

'Eventually,' White told the Pardon My Take podcast when asked if McGregor would fight in the UFC in 2025.  

'No no (he won't fight KSI or Logan Paul]. Hopefully Conor McGregor returns in the fall.'

UFC boss Dana White hopes Conor McGregor will return to the sport later this year

McGregor's absence from UFC leaves a sizeable hole given his selling power and superstar status. 

His popularity in the Republic of Ireland and the UK has plummeted since he began his legal fight with Dubliner Nikita Hand.

Hand was awarded more than €248,000 (£206,000) after a jury in Dublin concluded that McGregor 'brutally raped' and 'battered' the ex-hair colourist in a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018.

He has also vowed to appeal the decision.

McGregor's popularity in the USA has not been has poorly affected, however, and his comeback would be a massive boon to UFC.  

- DAVID KENT

JAKE PAUL'S BOXING PROMOTION POUR COLD WATER ON $500MILLION CONOR MCGREGOR V LOGAN PAUL REPORTS

Photos by Getty Images

Jake Paul’s boxing promotion have called foul on talks about his brother Logan’s big $250million fight.

The controversial brothers have taken the combat world by storm, with Logan Paul becoming a star in the WWE while Jake is taking over boxing. However, it seems that Conor McGregor prefers the older sibling as an opponent for his return to the ring next year.

McGregor has claimed that there are ‘preliminary agreements’ for a fight between he and the elder Paul brother in India next year. And he yesterday stoked the fire further by sharing a seeming hoax report that they would be making $250million each for the bout.

Conor McGregor reposts troll report that he will make $250million to face Logan Paul

Last night, a report from a social media account claiming to be former TalkSPORT journalist Michael Benson managed to trick news outlets into reporting a number of falsehoods about Conor McGregor vs Logan Paul.

The ‘report’ cited an imaginary Dan Rafael quote claiming that both men would make $250million, and that the fight would take place at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. It also said that the event would headline a ‘Visit India’ tourism drive, which appears to not be a real campaign.

However, what made it more remarkable was when McGregor’s news outlet The Mac Life shared the claims, as if they were legitimate. And the Irishman collaborated on the post, meaning that it showed up to his 47.1million followers.

It follows his initial claims about the fight having ‘preliminary agreements’ in place earlier this month. “The rumors of a bout with [UFC featherweight champion Ilia] Topuria are false,” he wrote in a tweet on X on December 17.

“I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon.”

Jake Paul’s Promotion play down Logan Paul and Conor McGregor fight talks

However, not everybody is convinced that McGregor is telling the truth. Logan’s brother Jake Paul owns the boxing promotion Most Valuable Promotions, which put on his fight with Mike Tyson in Texas last month.

And underneath McGregor’s post, they commented with three hat emojis, essentially saying “Cap on cap on cap.” Jake is believed to have been the original opponent wanted by the Ambani family to face McGregor, but claims that his team refused to enter into talks without the UFC or Dana White directly.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

“Now it all makes sense why Conor McGregor and his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us,” he wrote on X to his 4.7million followers in his first post since the Irishman’s initial tweet..

“As we told them them privately & I’m now saying it publicly… The only way we’re willing to explore me vs Conor in a pro boxing / mma fight is if Dana White / UFC are at the table directly or make it clear they are ok with discussions. Conor is washed. Needs the Paul’s. Logan by however he wants.”

- Donagh Corby

IRISH CIVIL JURY FINDS MCGREGOR LIABLE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer

A jury ruled in favor of a woman who accused UFC superstar Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room in December 2018.

The High Court in Dublin ordered McGregor to pay the complainant 248,000 euros, or around $257,000.

The jury had deliberated on the case since Thursday. McGregor, who denied the accusations and said he had consensual sex with the accuser, is not currently facing any criminal charges from the incident.

According to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, the woman told the High Court she met McGregor at a Christmas party in Dublin. She accused the former two-weight UFC champion of forcing her onto a bed, choking her and making her fear for her life. A paramedic who treated the woman's injuries the next morning told the courtroom he had never seen such intense bruising on a victim, according to BBC News.

The woman's lawyer, John Gordon, said she never pretended to be a saint and had gone out looking for a good time that ended up turning into a nightmare. Gordon said McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client.

"He's not a man, he's a coward," Gordon told jurors. "A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is."

The woman had to take several breaks in her emotional testimony as she said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter.

McGregor put her in a choke hold several times and later told her, "Now you know how I felt in the Octagon where I tapped out three times," referring to an Ultimate Fighting Championship when he had to admit defeat, she said.

She said she feared she would die and never see her daughter again.

"He let me go and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn't tell anyone so he wouldn't hurt me again," she said. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he sexually assaulted her. Police investigated the woman's complaint, but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely.

McGregor said the two had sex that was athletic and vigorous, but not rough. He said, "She never said 'no' or stopped," and testified that everything she said was a lie.

"It is a full-blown lie among many lies," he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. "How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings."

McGregor's lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter.

"You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him -- there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise," attorney Remy Farrell said. "I'm not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch."

Ultimately, the jury of eight women and four men ruled against his version of the event.

McGregor released a statement saying he will appeal.

I will be appealing today's decision. The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future....

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 22, 2024

The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McGregor has not fought since he broke his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He was scheduled for a highly anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June but withdrew in the weeks leading up to the event with an injured toe. He has teased the "greatest comeback" in sports history for years. He is 1-3 in his past four appearances, going back to 2018.

McGregor has four children with his longtime fiancée, Dee Devlin.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

- Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer

BUKAYO SAKA ISSUE SEVEN-WORD RESPONSE TO CONOR MCGREGOR APOLOGY AS ARSENAL DECISION MADE

Latest Arsenal news with Bukayo Saka offering his thoughts on the Conor McGregor clip involving him that went viral over the weekend.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has offered his thoughts on the incident involving Conor McGregor (Image: (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images))

Bukayo Saka has provided his response t the viral incident involving him and Conor McGregor after Arsenal's Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain. Saka scored in the 2-0 victory over the French champions, but it was what he was involved in after the game that grabbed headlined.

Following the win, McGregor, known for his mixed martial arts career in the UFC, was seen on the pitch at Emirates Stadium alongside Saka and Declan Rice. The Irishman was then recorded aiming pretend kicks and punches at Saka all while the Arsenal star laughed at his advances.

The clip has caused quite the stir on social media and while a number of Arsenal fans have found it funny, the club certainly did not. As per a report by the Sunday Times, McGregor entered the pitch without permission and was thus asked to go back inside soon after.

It has also been claimed there is a high level of concern within the club at how easily it was for the Notorious to get that close to one of Arsenal's biggest stars. An internal enquiry is now set to be conducted with the Gunners said to be looking at a decision on changing how things work after games.

This would involve players mixing with corporate guests while the club are also keen to distance themselves from McGregor's 'brand' because of the several controversies he has been involved in recently. Since then, Saka himself has responded to the incident, seemingly feeling no ill will towards McGregor.

Alongside a photo of himself and the 36-year-old, Saka wrote on Instagram: "Good to meet you @thenotoriousmma." Referring to the incident, Saka added: "No harm done just a friendly spar [laughing face emoji]."

Saka, like a large portion of the Arsenal squad, is now away on international duty with Mikel Arteta hoping for a more successful break in comparison to the last one in September. Club captain Martin Odegaard is still absent from the injury suffered playing for Norway, though a return date appears close.

- Kieran Horn

CONOR MCGREGOR ON WOMEN

 

SEAM O'MALLEY BELIEVES HE'S CLOSE TO BECOMING UFC'S BIGGEST STAR

LAS VEGAS -- Sean O'Malley believes he's very close to eclipsing Conor McGregor as the biggest star in the UFC.

The current UFC bantamweight champion will defend his championship against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of Noche UFC at The Sphere in Las Vegas this weekend.

While the event itself is highly anticipated because of the massive production budget and is suggested to be "the greatest sporting event of all time" by UFC CEO Dana White, the fact that O'Malley was chosen to headline suggests that the promotion holds him in high regard. Should he emerge victorious, O'Malley believes the gap between him and McGregor will close significantly.

"I think I'm close [to catching Conor McGregor]," O'Malley told ESPN during Wednesday's media day. "I think Conor still has one more big fight in him, but the big question mark is if he can come back and beat Michael Chandler. I think he has one more huge fight. But if he goes out and loses his next fight, that's like six in a row or something? [His star power] has to die down eventually. Maybe not. But that's a big testament to how big of a star he is. If he loses, I'm there. I'm the guy."

McGregor has been out of action since July 2021. He was originally scheduled to face Chandler at UFC 303 in June but was forced out with a toe injury. An early 2025 return for McGregor has been targeted.

When asked what separates him from McGregor, O'Malley kept it simple.

"I fight, I'm active," O'Malley said. "Conor was good on the mic and he had a few good performances, but I'm consistent. Right now, I'm fighting a lot, so that's what I bring to the table."

McGregor was once a busy fighter. From his UFC debut in 2013 to 2016 he fought ten times, capturing championships at both featherweight and lightweight before venturing into a blockbuster boxing event with Floyd Mayweather in 2017. He lost by 10th-round stoppage but earned over $100 million. Since then, McGregor has only fought four times in the past eight years. By comparison, O'Malley, 29, made his UFC debut in 2017 and Saturday's fight with Dvalishvili will be his eighth fight in just under four years. Like McGregor, he is also targeting an eventual boxing match but suggested that it is not in his immediate plans.

"I do [think I'll box] but that's not my focus right now," he said. "I have a lot of big fights on the table after I [beat Merab]. I have said I'd fight [UFC featherweight champion] Ilia [Topuria]. There's Max [Holloway], Umar [Nurmagomedov] and Deiveson Figueiredo.

"There are a lot of options for me so it's not time to box right now. But there will be a time. Conor vs. Floyd [Mayweather] was requested by the fans. If I keep going out there and knocking guys out, it's going to get intriguing."

- Andreas Hale, ESPN

MICHAEL CHANDLER REACTS TO UPDATE ON CONNOR MCGREGOR'S RETURN: 'THE SPORT WILL MOVE ON AND THRIVE WITHOUT YOU'

Mike Kirschbaum/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Michael Chandler was certainly paying attention Tuesday night as Dana White gave his latest update on the return of Conor McGregor.

Following the first episode of Contender Series, White spoke at the post-event press conference and said that McGregor still wants to fight, but the former two-division champ’s return will be delayed until 2025 — to which McGregor responded that he wants to compete in December.

Chandler seems to have taken White’s words as a potential nail in the coffin in regards to a rebooking with McGregor, and then fired a shot McGregor’s way.

“Ah conor, the sport will move on and thrive without you,” Chandler wrote on Twitter. “Put to bed. Laid to rest. Soon a distant memory. You’ve vastly overestimated your importance inside of this game for almost a decade. Godspeed.”

Both men are looking to return from lengthy layoffs. McGregor hasn’t competed since suffering a horrific leg injury in his first-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, while Chandler also hasn’t competed since getting stopped by Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.

- Mike Heck