Jake Paul explains why he believes Conor McGregor won’t return to the Octagon this year… after the UFC star’s proposed return bout with Michael Chandler was postponed

Conor McGregor was due to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 back in June
The fight fell apart after McGregor suffered an injury while training for the fight 
Jake Paul believes he won’t return to the Octagon until one thing happens 

Jake Paul has explained why he believes Conor McGregor won’t return to the Octagon this year.

McGregor was due to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, only for the fight to fall apart when the Irishman suffered an injury while preparing for the bout.

There has been no confirmation as to when the proposed fight could take place, and McGregor has not fought inside the Octagon since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier back at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Paul, who has previously been linked with a fight against McGregor inside a boxing ring, believes the Irishman won’t return until the UFC has signed a new television deal.

ESPN currently holds the rights to show UFC content, though the window for the company to ink a new rights deal opens in January 2025.

Jake Paul has explained why Conor McGregor won’t return to the Octagon this year

McGregor was due to fight Michael Chandler in June before he pulled out with an injury

Paul believes UFC President Dana White’s reluctance to stage the fight this year is due to McGregor’s key role as a negotiation tactic in a new broadcast deal

Paul believes White’s reluctance to stage the fight this year is due to McGregor’s key role as a negotiation tactic in a new broadcast deal.

‘So that’s what’s happening to Conor McGregor right now,’ Paul said on the most recent episode of his BS w/Jake Paul podcast.

‘For the people at home who don’t understand it, basically, they’re like, “Why is Conor not fighting?”

‘Conor has two fights left on his fight deal, but the UFC is trying to renew their rights deal because they license their content, which are the fights, to platforms.

‘So they’re trying to renew their deal. They’re negotiating with multiple people, but let’s say it’s going to go with ESPN. They’re trying to renew the deal and get the most amount of money.

‘A part of that negotiation is, “Hey, we have Conor McGregor for two more fights.” But if he were to fight now, that wouldn’t be a part of the negotiation.

‘The company would be like, “Oh yeah, well you only have Conor for one fight.” So that’s why Conor’s not fighting right now.’

McGregor has two fights left on his UFC contract while the window for the company to ink a new rights deal opens in January

Having McGregor on the roster with multiple fights remaining on his contract automatically makes the UFC content rights more lucrative.

UFC president Dana White last month revealed McGregor’s return won’t take place this year.

He said: ‘We didn’t meet up but we talked, and yeah, [McGregor] wants to fight. So we’ll figure it out. [But] not this year. He won’t fight this year.’

However, McGregor responded on X: ‘Ah Dana, December is the date!’

The Irishman added: ‘Bring the calendar year home with a winning event! Come on now, what’s this? I am off to altitude next month to prepare.

‘December! Tell Dana and UFC we want December! We deserve December!’