Jake Paul hits back at Dana White's treatment of 'frustrated' Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor has been eager to return to the octagon, but his path back seems blocked. According to Jake Paul, McGregor's delay may be due to UFC President Dana White, who may not want him to fight the remaining two bouts in his contract.

Paul shared this perspective during a recent podcast with Francis Ngannou.

Jake Paul provided insight into McGregor's situation, explaining that while McGregor has two fights left on his UFC contract, the organization is also approaching the end of its broadcasting deal with ESPN, which expires in 2025.

As UFC negotiates with potential new partners, the outcome could significantly impact McGregor's future fights.

"They are trying to renew the deal and get the most amount of money. A part of that negotiation is having Conor McGregor for two more fights," Paul declared.

UFC's broadcast rights deal renewal window

The official window for UFC to renegotiate its broadcast rights opens in January 2025. Currently, ESPN holds exclusive rights to UFC content, a partnership that has been financially beneficial for both parties.

However, according to TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro, several bidders have already expressed interest in acquiring UFC's broadcasting rights.

Paul speculated that UFC might want to keep McGregor for these negotiations to increase their leverage, rather than let him fulfill his contract and become a free agent.

After suffering a brutal leg injury during his fight against Dustin Poirier, McGregor underwent surgery and spent nearly two years recovering. He was set to return at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw from his fight against Michael Chandler.

Despite his eagerness to make a comeback, McGregor's return has faced continuous setbacks.

Dana White has become a significant obstacle in McGregor's return. White announced that McGregor would not be fighting in 2024, despite speculation that the former two-weight champion might appear at UFC 310 in December. No official announcements have been made, leaving McGregor's fans in suspense.

McGregor, aware of the situation, expressed his frustration on Instagram. In a training video, he added a simple yet telling caption.

"When I get free," he wrote.

The message indicates that McGregor feels trapped by his UFC contract, with only two fights remaining but uncertain opportunities ahead.

Despite the challenges, McGregor is bound to UFC due to his contractual obligations. While fans eagerly await his return, the Dubliner remains stuck in limbo, awaiting a resolution to his contract and potential future fights.