Conor McGregor reveals he was in a 'dark place' and gives injury update after Michael Chandler fight delay
SEVEREMMA
The UFC icon has updated fans after his return to the Octagon was recently postponed
Conor McGregor has admitted he was in a 'dark place' after being forced to delay his fight with Michael Chandler.
The 35-year-old had been due to return to the Octagon this month, having not fought since a crushing defeat to Dustin Poirier back in 2021.
Yet McGregor's fight with Chandler was delayed after the Irishman suffered a broken toe in training.
Speaking to Severe MMA, the UFC icon says he was in a 'dark place' after having to postpone his comeback.
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Conor McGregor has admitted he was in a 'dark place' after being forced to delay his fight with Michael Chandler
SEVEREMMA
But he's now looking forward to the future, saying: "It's tough, but we keep it dialed in.
"The injury, I'm not going to lie, is painful, it's very, very painful.
"Probably even more painful than the leg [break he suffered in 2021] and that's the truth.
"I was in a dark place. I'm alright, I'm getting there again, I'm ready to go again."
McGregor suffered a serious leg break three years ago and has vowed to never fight injured again.
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A new date for his fight with Chandler is yet to be agreed, with that battle hanging in the balance.
But McGregor is hoping to return later this summer, though joked he was struggling to get a shoe to help his injured toe.
"As soon as," he said when quizzed on when he'll return.
"August, September, I'd love. You know the way it is. I'm in recovery mode.
"It's three weeks to the day. It happened three weeks ago today.
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"And I'm still here walking around in the slippers. They're not bad slippers, thankfully, and they are cozy enough but I can't get into a shoe yet."
UFC president Dana White was asked about McGregor's comments while speaking in Saudi Arabia.
He's unsure if the Irishman will be able to fight later this summer, insisting he won't be doing anything until he knows the 35-year-old is physically able to fight again.
"I don't know right now," he said. "Our schedule is laid out so we'll see.
Conor McGregor has admitted he's in pain after forcing to delay his UFC comeback against Michael Chandler
SEVEREMMA
"I'm not doing anything until I know Conor is healthy. It's not even worth talking about.
"What about September? What about October? He's not ready. So why even talk about it?"
Writing on X, McGregor allayed fears he won't be able to fight Chandler and insists the American needs the showdown to happen for financial reasons.
“Chandler is getting paid 10x of what his contract states for other fights," he said.
“Meaning he would need to fight 10 fights to make what he would make in this one. I’m The One.
“For those saying he could have fought 2 or 3 times by now etc. He’d need 10 to break even with this cheque.”