‘Notorious’ isn’t just celebrating the final of Euro 2024, but also that his long-awaited return to MMA might be finally honing back into view.
Whilst there’s heartbreak here in England following another disappointing result in the final of Euro 2024, there’s delight elsewhere from around the sporting world as we’ve got a key update regarding the return of the ‘Notorious’ superstar.
Conor McGregor wins big by backing Spain at Euro 2024
It’s been a remarkably profitable few weeks for Conor McGregor who, despite not earning the salary of a PPV headlining attraction at UFC 303, has still cashed out on more than one occasion: albeit from the comfort of his phone screen, rather than in the octagon.
Last weekend, ‘Notorious’ put down a sweet $500,000 on his former rival Nate Diaz to defeat Jorge Masvidal in their long-awaited boxing rematch – Diaz won, with McGregor taking home around $1.6 million in total.
Last night, McGregor revealed that he’s added yet another ‘million’ to his bank balance by sharing that his big money line on Spain to win the Euro 2024 tournament has come good as they bested England 2-1 in Germany.
According to a screenshot of the slip posted online, McGregor earned himself just over €1 million – that’s around £840,000 or $1.09 million on today’s exchange rate; with that also being put down all the way back on June 14 – one month before the final in Berlin.
The screenshot was accompanied by a series of celebratory messages from ‘Notorious’, who posted “Another €1m into the kit! Spain WIN THE EUROS!” and later added “€1million won on my birthday.”
McGregor turned 36 years old on Sunday, July 14.
Yet earlier that same day, he reportedly met with UFC President Dana White to discuss his next fight; with fans delighted to hear the latest update regarding the return of ‘Notorious’.
McGregor confirms UFC return will happen before the end of the year
On Saturday, former US President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania; given his close ties to the UFC, it didn’t take long for messages of support to be sent out from across the MMA world.
Conor McGregor shared his own message to social media, prompting a response from his expected next opponent Michael Chandler – and this is where ‘Notorious’ offered the latest update regarding his UFC return.
“A 78 year old multiple billionaire he should be on a yacht on the med touring golf courses. But he is not. He is in Pennsylvania spitting out bullets, Running for the love of his country,” McGregor posted, adding “God speed Donald! God bless the United States.”
Less than two hours later, Chandler quote-shared the statement with the message “We stand united on this one…” with McGregor, in turn, teasing that he’d only just had a conversation with Dana White and the UFC brass regarding their fight.
“I talked to Dana today about our new date, all looking good! ’24 for sure.”
So, if his next fight will take place this calendar year, when could McGregor actually make his return?
Well, there had been reports that a rebooked McGregor versus Chandler fight could headline UFC 306 at The Sphere in September; however, that looks unlikely given the recent leak regarding the title two fights topping that card.
UFC 307 could be one potential option, currently set for October 5 for Salt Lake City, Utah; whilst it’s doubtful that the promotion would book McGregor vs Chandler for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi later that same month.
The PPV events for November (rumored to be Madison Square Garden, New York) and December have not yet been announced, with the heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic also expected on one of those two cards.
Given the current PPV schedule and the fact that McGregor has only just returned to training, Bloody Elbow expects that the promotion won’t opt to create a new date and that one of these two latter events (November/December) will feature the Irish superstar.