Conor McGregor is quizzed on delayed UFC return as Irishman makes surprise appearance at Bellator Dublin show

Conor McGregor has spoken out about his delayed UFC return following a surprise performance at a Bellator show in Dublin on Saturday night.

McGregor was scheduled to make his long-awaited comeback at UFC 303 on June 29, but withdrew from his fight against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas due to injury.

It’s been almost three years since the Irishman last set foot in the Octagon, when his trilogy defeat to Dustin Poirier – which left him with a horrific leg fracture – put his career in doubt.

And after finally returning to full fitness, he was recently forced to withdraw from this month’s return against Chandler after breaking his toe.

McGregor opened up about his latest setback after appearing at Bellator – a rival MMA promotion – in Dublin this weekend to work in fellow Irish MMA star Sinead Kavanagh’s corner, admitting a ‘loss of concentration’ was the cause was from his toe injury.

“You know, I’m still rockin’ out here. I had a little lapse in concentration and had to reschedule the fight, so I’m a little upset about that,” he said in an interview with Bellator analyst Dan Hardy.

“But it keeps me informed, it keeps me focused. I can’t hang around like I’m out there, like I’m out there doing my job. The job isn’t done yet, so that’s not bad for someone like me.

‘I’ll continue towards the new date and take my lessons, it was a loss of concentration.’

McGregor added that he wants to be ‘100 per cent’ and ‘injury free’ when he makes his long-awaited return, after claiming he had previously entered the Octagon behind.

“If I was one of those other little bums who can’t move, who have no footwork and don’t trust their skills… I’d be fine,” he said of fighting while injured.

“And I’ve done it before, I’ve done the walk under those conditions numerous times and given these bums an advantage over me that they don’t even deserve.

“So now that I’m dialing it in, I’m getting these training camps right. I’m running there 100 percent Conor McGregor, injury free. Perfection is on the menu.’

McGregor was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 later this month

But the Irishman’s lengthy stint away from the Octagon continued after he broke his toe

After withdrawing from UFC 303, McGregor shared photos of his broken toe and the x-ray that confirmed it on social media this week.

He also explained the lapse in concentration that led to the injury, saying, “Man, we were so damn super ready for this fight that it’s absolutely heartbreaking to make. I want that new Bugatti, the way I went, to justify getting it now without financing these fights.

“We had a lapse in concentration and were doing a workout without wearing full protective gear, and I knocked the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean.

‘It just needs a few weeks, that’s all. I couldn’t justify it to my team, or fans, for being hindered from taking the walk again. That walk has been seen. This next walk must and will be 100 percent.

‘The fans deserve it and we are getting close. A slight loss of concentration and discomfort from an injury were noted.

‘That is it. Take the lesson and move on. I’m getting this back. I have it too. I have two fights left on my contract. I have Bugattis and more yachts on my mind. I come to shine. I just have to take my time.

McGregor admitted it was ‘very difficult’ to cancel the fight, while vowing he would return

‘Cause I still have yachts and Bentleys and mansions and all the rest. You know yourself. But understand me, I’ll be back. See you soon. See you at the top. Chandler or not.”

McGregor’s representatives were forced to deny claims that the former two-weight UFC champion pulled out of his fight against Chandler because he is in rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.

Ex-MMA fighter Chael Sonnen dropped a hint that he had entered rehab last week, but McGregor’s people vehemently denied that story.

A spokesperson told DailyMail.Com on Tuesday: ‘Mr McGregor is with his family.

‘The fight was canceled due to an injury he suffered during training. He is looking forward to a new date.’