JAKE PAUL has a sensational theory for why Conor McGregor hasn’t returned to the octagon.
The UFC‘s poster boy was due to make his eagerly-anticipated cage comeback in June against Michael Chandler but was forced out of the bout due to injury.
McGregor is champing at the bit to return to the octagon as soon as possible, although a date for his return has not yet been finalised.
And Paul has claimed, with absolutely no proof, that Dana White and the UFC brass may be intentionally delaying the Return of the Mac as they’re currently fielding offers for their broadcast rights, which are up for renewal in 2025.
During the latest episode of his BS with Jake Paul podcast, the YouTuber said: “So they’re (UFC) trying to renew their deal, and they’re negotiating with multiple people.
“But, let’s say they’re going 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 (Conor) were to fight now, that wouldn’t be part of the negotiations.
“The company would be like, ‘Well you only have Conor for one fight.”
ESPN currently have the broadcast rights for the UFC in North America, although that could soon change.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
Read all of our latest Conor McGregor stories.
TKO Group Holdings President Mark Shapiro said in May: “Now it’s an evolved landscape, as we’ve discussed.
“ESPN is on the verge of launching their own direct-to-consumer flagship.
“Peacock is trying [to] increase their penetration. Paramount+ is using sports to increase their penetration.
“We’ve talked about Apple, Amazon, YouTube, a lot of healthy places for us to be.
“But we will be flexible so we are giving any perspective partner or current partner the best programming for the most ideal windows.
“So that they can grow their base and retain their [subscriptions]. Very important.”
McGregor, 36, was in talks with the UFC over a new deal before a broken left pinky toe forced him to withdraw from his long-overdue clash with Chandler.
And in an exclusive interview with SunSport, the Irishman suggested talks over a new contract have cooled.
The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion said: “You know, the fight never happened.
“So it’s just about getting the fight on.”
But The Notorious isn’t giving up hope of a December return to action.
When asked about potentially headlining the promotion’s final PPV of 2024, UFC 310 in Las Vegas, he said: “That sounds good to me.
“That sounds good to me brother.”
