Conor McGregor is spending time with his family as he recovers from the injury that ruined his UFC comeback, his representatives have insisted – despite an MMA analyst saying he was actually in rehab.
The Irishman, 35, was officially ruled out of UFC 303 last week, where he was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler later in June in Las Vegas due to an unspecified injury.
Speaking on ESPN MMA on Monday, former MMA fighter Chael Sonnen dropped a huge hint that McGregor was not injured and had actually checked into rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.
But a spokesperson for McGregor 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.’
Conor McGregor’s Reps Say He’s With Family After His UFC Fight Was Called Off – And Not In Rehab
Chael Sonnen (right) filed the McGregor claims with Daniel Cormier on Monday
On Sunday, McGregor posted a photo on Instagram with his son to celebrate Father’s Day. He has four children with his partner Dee Devlin.
Although Sonnen didn’t mention McGregor directly, there can be no doubt who he was talking about as he dropped several references to McGregor’s ‘Proper Twelve’ whiskey brand.
Speaking about the postponed fight with Daniel Cormier, Sonnen talked about how both Chandler and McGregor have promoted alcohol during their careers.
“What an incredible irony that both sides have huge interests in alcohol, and one side is in the middle of rehab for substance abuse, including alcohol,” he said, before sarcastically stroking his chin and adding, “Not that that’s anything too has to make. with this.
‘Did it just get warm in here? Oh, it just got hot in here. Oh, the big man came out and said it. He wasn’t allowed to talk about that. Well, that’s why people vote.
Cormier then claimed that he had not heard what Sonnen said, so he repeated his claim.
“It was completely unrelated,” he said. ‘Two boys selling alcohol, a completely unrelated story. And then there’s a man in rehab for alcohol and other substances. I’m just saying: that’s a difficult story.
‘Take this good drink. I’ll see you in a while as I’m in a good frame of mind now and see how I don’t drink. I bring up the irony of the point: that’s all Daniel.”
McGregor pictured with his long-term partner Dee Devlin in March 2023 in Las Vegas
Cormier looked uncomfortable as Sonnen ranted, saying, “Chael, you’re crazy,” before turning the call back to the UFC.
McGregor released a statement on Saturday about the fight not happening, saying: ‘It is very difficult to be excluded from my planned return fight.
“The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but in consultation with my doctors, the UFC and my team. My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there!
‘Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident that I will be back!’
McGregor posted again on social media on Tuesday evening, saying he had placed a $60,000 bet on Cristiano Ronaldo to finish as top scorer at the 2024 European Championship.
He last fought in 2021 in Vegas, losing to Dustin Poirier after breaking his leg during the fight.