Conor McGregor's Absence From The Octagon Is A Blessing In Disguise

As per his reputation as an undeniable megastar, there has been considerable attention surrounding the return of Conor McGregor.

For months on end, the UFC’s former posterboy and inaugural two-division champion has carrot-dangled the prospect of facing rival TUF coach, Michael Chandler, before the end of 2023. Even going so far as to retweet a falsified “leak” to stoke the flames of anticipation.

But in light of the fact he still hasn’t re-enrolled in the USADA testing pool — rostered fighters are required to be in the pool for at least six months prior to a bout — safe to say, the “Notorious” one ain’t honouring this particular pledge (maybe we’ll see him at UFC 300).

As of yesterday, this proved to be the ultimate blessing in disguise…

— GL

What A Time To Be Alive

When UFC President & CEO Dana White gets pink in the face and yells at confusing volumes over Instagram, generally speaking, we’re in for a banger of a fight announcement. And what an announcement we’ve just received to bookend an action-packed calendar year.

We were already frothing at the mouth for UFC 294, which is scheduled to take place next month in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena.

Headlined by a much-anticipated rematch between undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former division champ/people's champ Charles Oliveira; it’ll also feature a co-main bout (read: all-out grudge match) between explosive middleweights Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev.

Now, the final two pay-per-view cards of 2023 have be confirmed (and they’re delightfully McGregor-free).

In addition to the supposed retirement fight of reigning GOAT Jon Jones, who's set to go head-to-head with heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic — something which commanded $120,000 ticket prices prior to the latest update — UFC 295’s co-main bout is one helluva match-up.

Former middleweight champion/devastating knockout artist Alex Pereira is finally coming to blows with the returning light-heavyweight king/fellow knockout artist Jiri Prochazka for the division’s vacant throne. Given how said throne was forcibly seized by the latter from Glover Teixeira (Pereira's teammate and friend) at UFC 275, revenge in the most dramatic sense is also on the line.

This one also promises to be fireworks given the fascinating stylistic match-up. While both are elite kickboxers, Prochazka tends to trade with reckless abandon until his opponent crumbles, while Pereira is quite the surgical striker. What's gonna happen? Who the bloody hell knows. But that's the fun of it all, isn't it?

As for UFC 296, the world’s leading MMA promotion is closing out ‘23 with a title fight double header: welterweight champion Leon Edwards vs MAGA-infused firebrand Colby Covington and Uber driver turned flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval II. That’s 10 rounds of high-level mixed martial artistry.

I don’t wanna hear any casual takes about how you’d rather see Conor McGregor when the game has clearly progressed so far beyond him. If you’re a fight fan (a genuine fight fan), you’ll understand we’re witnessing the sport’s history being written in blood and sweat before our very eyes.

ICYMI: The Friday Round-Up