Conor McGregor rages over rehab claims and sets record straight on Michael Chandler fight postponement

Conor McGregor has strongly denied being in rehab and blasted UFC legend Chael Sonnen after the 47-year-old alleged he was receiving help for substance abuse

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 22/06/2024

- 12:38

The UFC star has taken issue with Chael Sonnen after his return to the sport was recently pushed back

Conor McGregor has strongly denied being in rehab and blasted UFC legend Chael Sonnen after the 47-year-old alleged he was receiving help for substance abuse.

The Irishman had been due to fight Michael Chandler later this month, having not fought in UFC since his 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier.


However, their fight was delayed due to injury.

Sonnen recently said that McGregor isn't able to return to the Octagon due to problems with alcohol.

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor has strongly denied being in rehab and blasted UFC legend Chael Sonnen after the 47-year-old alleged he was receiving help for substance abuse

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But the 35-year-old has now fiercely hit back in a since-deleted tweet on X.

McGregor has vehemently denied the claims and said: "Chael shut your pie hole, h*e. You tap from ground and pound."

Sonnen's comments were also dismissed by his representative, Karen Kessler, who says McGregor is hopeful of agreeing a new date for his clash with Chandler.

“The fight was cancelled after an injury he sustained during training. He is looking forward to a new date," she said.

"Mr McGregor is with his family - and any other reports are incorrect."

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McGregor previously revealed he was actually giving up alcohol to focus on his return to UFC.

However, the 35-year-old shared snaps of himself drinking at his Black Forged Inn pub in Dublin just days after withdrawing.

McGregor has taken to Instagram to show off his broken toe, while also admitting he was crushed at being forced to postpone the showdown.

"Man we were so f***ing super ready for this fight it is absolutely gut wrenching to take," he said.

"I want that new Bugatti how I gone justify to myself getting that now without banking these fights.

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"We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean.

"It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen.

"This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100 per cent Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close.

"A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward.

"I will get this back. I’ve got too. I’ve got two fights left on my contract.

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Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor had been due to fight Michael Chandler later this month

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"I’ve got Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I’m coming to shine. I gotta just take my time. Cos I still got yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest.

"Ya know yaself. But ya get me, I’ll be back. See ya’s soon. See ya at the top. Chandler or not."

Fans have flooded McGregor with messages of support, with one saying: "Let's go king, the public is waiting for you.

"You be back in no time brother the best is yet to come," said a second.

And a third said: "Head up champ, you're the man."

Chael Sonnen

Conor McGregor has hit back at claims from UFC icon Chael Sonnen after his fight with Michael Chandler was delayed

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Chandler, meanwhile, was also frustrated by the delay.

Speaking earlier this week, he said: "I got the rug pulled out from underneath me at the last possible moment.

"I just had got done with my last sparring session, Thursday morning, had been hearing rumblings since Monday, obviously, but really got the call about an hour after my last sparring session was completed. An hour after a celebration.

"Anybody who has trained for a fight or anybody who has gone through a training camp for something, you go through a really hard block and then, in order to peak, you get toward the very end, you don't go hard anymore, as to throw yourself into the fire and take the chance of injuries, over training, bumps, bruises, cuts, all those different things.

"I had just gotten done with that. The happiest and healthiest, hardest to kill, most dangerous man I have ever been in my entire life, in that moment.

"To 30 minutes later getting a phone call that all of that was for naught."

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