EXCLUSIVE: Conor McGregor is ‘pushing for December comeback’ as Dana White teases news for Irishman’s UFC return

Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback could still be on for this year, according to his photographer Dave Fogarty.

The legendary two-weight world champion has been out of action for over three years after suffering a broken leg in his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Since then, he has returned to fitness and was due to return in June at UFC 303, before being forced out with a broken toe.

Despite UFC boss Dana White insisting that he wouldn’t be fighting in 2024, the Irishman is still making a big push to compete in December. And Fogarty, who is set to fight on this weekend’s Misfits Boxing pay-per-view in Dublin, believes that he is making a big push for a slot at UFC 310.

Who is Conor McGregor? Step inside the hedonistic life of UFC’s ‘notorious’ bad boy and legendary double champConor McGregor is ‘pushing for December’ as UFC comeback nearsWith Dana White recently teasing fans about imminent news regarding Conor McGregor, fans have been ecstatic to see what he will do next. And one man who knows better than any is Dave Fogarty, who is arguably the closest man to McGregor outside of his immediate family as they jetset around the world.

Speaking exclusively with Bloody Elbow ahead of his Misfits 17 lightweight title fight with Deen The Great, Fogarty noted that his close friend has been making a big effort to get back in the cage by year’s end.

“Without a doubt,” Fogarty replied when asked if he would be straight back into a camp after his own is finished on Saturday post-fight. “I know Conor is pushing for December or something towards the end of the year.

“That’s what I think will happen, he’ll fight when he’s ready. I don’t do much training when I’m there, but not much. To be honest with you, when I take this belt I’ll continue doing the pads with Phil [Sutcliffe, boxing coach] and just keeping the skills sharp.”

Dave Fogarty details advice he received from Conor McGregor ahead of boxing debutAs he prepared for his boxing debut on a massive pay-per-view stage in his hometown at the sold out 3Arena, Fogarty was able to pick the brain of one of combat sport’s biggest names. And he has been given some advice tactically, as well as regarding the mental side of the bright lights.

Having photographed iconic moments for some of the UFC’s most famous nights, he is no stranger to the big occasion. But now fighting in front of 13,000 in his home town, he noted that it has been invaluable learning from one of the greats.

Dave Fogarty – decorated MMA amateur, jiu jitsu competitor and now photographer to Conor McGregor – is set for his boxing debut this weekend at Misfits in Dublin.

I caught up with my aul pal “Big Deal” Dave to talk returning to competition and how he plans to shock the masses… pic.twitter.com/O0kYduxNw2

— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) August 27, 2024 View Tweet

“Conor has given me some great advice,” he said. “Especially about working in the clinch, some other things. So I’m going to take the information Conor’s given me, the information I’ve got from Crumlin Boxing and big shoutout to Emmett Brennan who I’ve been doing pads with.

“Emmett’s a phenomenal fighter, a Celtic champion, and I think once he’s finished fighting he has a bright future in front of him. We’ve had countless hours, there’s been dedication from the whole camp towards me.

“When Conor fights, I’m sweating, I’m nervous because I’ve seen all the work that he’s put in, I’ve been there every session. I know the dedication it takes to get him to that level. So all I want is the best for him.”

Conor McGregor ‘is big fights’ says Dave FogartyWhen you look at the list of all-time highest gates in UFC history, three of the five feature Conor McGregor in the headline slot. And even UFC 303, which ultimately featured Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka, was primarily sold as his comeback bout against Michael Chandler.

“In modern fight sports, he is big fights,” Fogarty added. “He simply is big fights. There’s nobody bigger than him. And there have been things like that that he’s talked to me about [for the Deen The Great bout].

Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images“He’s told me about when your legs start feeling heavy, how to get your bearings. How to get your breath back. How not to overwork yourself, the positions you can put yourself in, accept some positions and not others.

“He makes opponents work the way he wants them to work. That’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to make him work, get him tired and I’m going to stop him.”

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