- Conor McGregor has been accused of 'trying to wait' for a fight with Nate Diaz
- The Irishman recently teased that 'big announcements' are on the way
- Moses Itauma was brave enough to join Lawrence Okolie's gym at the age of 14 – now we see the result – The hook
UFC star Conor McGregor has been accused of 'wanting to wait' for a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz and avoiding a fight with Michael Chandler.
McGregor, who recently attended the Day of Reckoning boxing event in Saudi Arabia, has not set foot in a UFC Octagon since July 2021.
In Saudi Arabia, he stressed that his patience with the UFC is “running out,” noting that negotiations for his return to the Octagon after more than two years of inactivity have so far proven fruitless.
Now McGregor has been accused of waiting for an 'easier fight' by UFC rival Chandler, who believes the Irishman is trying to make the 'smartest fight'.
Speak with Steve-O's Wild Ride podcastChandler said, “I think he's trying to wait for me right now.
UFC star Conor McGregor has been accused of 'trying to wait' for a fight with Nate Diaz
UFC lightweight star Michael Chandler made the claim during a recent podcast appearance
“I mean, because if you were him, would you want to wait as long as possible for a guy like me, who's a real fighter, who wants to be there, who wants to compete?
“So I say, 'Fuck it, I'm going to fight someone else' and then he can go and have an easier fight: Nate Diaz. It will look really bad for everyone if Conor comes back and doesn't fight me.
“Conor can try to come back and act like he's the boss and say, 'I want to fight this guy, I want to fight that guy,' which is what I would do if I was in his position, if I was his manager . I'm trying to do the same because fighting me isn't the smartest fight.”
McGregor and Diaz had one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history after their two fights in 2016.
The Irishman stunned his American counterpart when they first matched up and lost via submission before winning the rematch months later.
Chandler and McGregor were expected to face off in the octagon after appearing as coaches for the final season of The ultimate fighter show.
Normally the two coaches from both sides will fight in the UFC at the end of the season, but that seems far from reality at the moment.
McGregor and Diaz had one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history after their two fights in 2016
UFC chief Dana White has teased a possible return to the Octagon for McGregor in 2024
However, UFC chief Dana White did reveal that talks are ongoing regarding the Irishman's return.
White revealed Wednesday night, “We talked tonight. I'm in Abu Dhabi, he's in Dubai. We'll think of something. Were talking.'
McGregor has not fought inside the Octagon since July 2021, when he suffered a back-to-back defeat to American lightweight Dustin Poirier.
The Irishman lost via doctor's stoppage after breaking his leg in the first round of the fight.