Sports
Conor McGregor Confirms UFC Comeback Date as Opponent ‘Leaked’
Conor McGregor has announced his UFC comeback after nearly five years out of the Octagon.
The former featherweight and lightweight champion has not appeared on a fight card since UFC 264, where the Irishman broke his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirer.
McGregor’s return was previously scheduled for UFC 303 back in June 2024, in a bout with Michael Chandler, but his comeback fight was cancelled after sustaining a broken toe in training.
Later in the year, he was hit with an 18-month ban from fighting after missing three drugs tests in a 12-month window. However, with that ban having expired late last week, McGregor is free to return to the cage.
During his extended absence from the sport, ‘The Notorious’ has certainly not taken a break from the spotlight, dealing with legal troubles and declaring his lofty political ambitions to become Ireland’s next president.
Conor McGregor’s UFC Comeback Date
However, in recent weeks, speculation has mounted that McGregor could be on the verge of a return. Veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani provided an update on the 37-year-old’s status on Tuesday, revealing that the biggest star in company history is set to headline UFC 330 on the 11th of July in Las Vegas.
Helwani stated: “At this point, I think it would be safe to say it would be a disastrous situation, something disastrous would have had to have happened if he’s not fighting on July the 11th.”
Just hours after Helwani’s report, McGregor took to Instagram to confirm his plans, writing:
“The rumours are true, Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again! Call your grandma! Nanny, we did it!”
After declaring that his comeback fight would be “easy”, Conor admitted he was “so excited” to be returning to the UFC.
“Watch divine magic when I fight. Hey @paramountplus, see you guys soon I’m so excited! And Born Ready. The Notorious Conor McGregor.”
While McGregor stopped short of mentioning the proposed opponent for his comeback, UFC CEO Dana White may well have already leaked the name of the man that he will face.
Dana White ‘Leaks’ Conor McGregor Comeback Opponent
Speaking at the UFC London post-fight press conference, White was questioned about whether UFC would return to Ireland in the near future, especially McGregor on the card.
Dana assured the reporter that the promotion would be back, before appearing to reveal a planned bout between McGregor and fellow Irishman, welterweight Ian Machado Garry.
He replied: “That’s a great question…definitely not with those fights [McGregor and Garry]. But yes, I love Ireland too. I’d love to go back to Dublin, do a show there, and we’re definitely taking Zuffa Boxing to Ireland too. But the Conor-Garry fight won’t be in Ireland.”
It remains to be seen whether the fight happens, but it does appear that Dana mistakenly revealed the promotion’s plans for McGregor in advance of an official announcement.
Currently ranked number two in the UFC welterweight rankings, Garry would be a stiff challenge for McGregor’s return bout. However, after so long out of action, it makes sense that Conor would want to make his comeback at 170 pounds, avoiding a tough weight cut to a lighter weight class.
Former featherweight champion Max Holloway, now fighting as a lightweight, has also publicised his interest in fighting McGregor again.
While McGregor’s major UFC success came at a lighter weight, the now more bulky Irishman would struggle to cut down to fight at lightweight.
Holloway does not seem to care either way, stating on his YouTube channel: “I know a lot of people worry about weight and this and that, but if he doesn’t want to cut weight, then I don’t want to cut weight.
“We can do it at any weight, to be honest. It’s just about getting it back.”
Max, though, looks likely to have to wait for his shot at redemption against McGregor, assuming that the UFC press forward with the Garry fight.
Gabby Agbonlahor has caused a bit of a stir when naming his selections for the 10 greatest Premier League players of all time. Asked to do so after Mohamed Salah announced he would be leaving Liverpool, the ex-Aston Villa forward made several notable omissions.
Salah, one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players, often splits opinion when it comes to Premier League GOAT debates. His 191-goal haul in the English top-flight makes it hard to argue he should at least be in the conversation among the competition’s greats.
Agbonlahor fully agrees, as he included the ‘Egyptian King’ in his top 10 list. However, there was no room for five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gabby Agbonlahor Makes Huge Calls in Top 10 List
Among the biggest names not to make the cut in Agbonlahor’s eyes are Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Eric Cantona. The legendary Manchester United quartet are among the most successful players in the division’s history, but don’t break the top 10.
The striker-turned-pundit was speaking to Rangers icon Ally McCoist on talkSPORT’s breakfast show when he included players like Thierry Henry, Salah, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Kevin De Bruyne among the best players in Premier League history.
In no particular order, Agbonlahor rattled through nine names, saying: “Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Mohamed Salah, Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, and Frank Lampard…”
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The former Aston Villa marksman added that Virgil van Dijk is ‘100% better’ than the ex-Premier League captain.
His 10th name was ex-Tottenham superstar, Gareth Bale. The Welshman, like Ronaldo, achieved a lot more after leaving England, but Agbonlahor described him as ‘unbelievable’.
“And, he didn’t win anything at his club, but when he was at his best that season for Spurs, Gareth Bale, he was unbelievable,” the former Aston Villa forward claimed.
He did receive some pushback from co-host McCoist on three players he omitted. “You might have one or two that are your own favourites that you enjoy watching, but Henry, Shearer, absolutely different level. Rooney, Salah, Gerrard and Lampard are absolutely in the equation.”
“But the two I’d look at it is I don’t see Harry Kane, I don’t see Ryan Giggs… you don’t have Roy Keane in there.”
Responding to the Kane shout, he responded: “Kane was unbelievable, but playing against Bale that season, every touch to the side, the way he ran past players. I’m on about that sort of play being hard to forget.”
Watch the full conversation:
Agbonlahor Ranks His Top Four Premier League Players
After giving his 10 names in no specific order, the controversial pundit then nailed his colours to the mast and put the top four in order. Arsenal Invincible Henry came out on top, ahead of English duo Alan Shearer and Rooney. Then, Agbonlahor put Salah in fourth place.
He then explained why he didn’t include Giggs, despite the Welsh winger’s unbelievable 13 Premier League title successes. Agbonlahor told McCoist:
“I think I’d have to go Henry first, just behind him Shearer, then Rooney third and Salah in fourth, I’m putting him ahead of Giggs.
“Giggs has scored 109 goals in 632 games, Salah 191 in 323 games…bit of recency bias as well, but I’m going attacking-wise there. I’m going off attackers I loved to watch, as I was one myself.”
Statistics in this article are courtesy of the Premier League. Correct as of 25-03-26.
Paris-Saint Germain expect to find out on Thursday if their crucial Ligue 1 fixture against RC Lens will be postponed allowing them more time to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool.
The reigning European champions are one point clear of Lens in the league and are set to face them on April 11, three days after hosting Liverpool and three days before travelling to Anfield.
The game with Lens could prove title-defining, and PSG’s opponents are firmly against rearranging the fixture as they seek their first Ligue 1 crown since 1998.
LFP Known to Prioritise Europe in Previous Cases
Lens argue “the league sometimes seems to be relegated to second place behind other ambitions, however legitimate they may be.” However, Lens coach Pierre Sage was in favour of helping French teams playing in Europe when Lyon coach back in 2024.
“There are benefits for French football [moving games],” he said. “It’s great to provide teams with the best possible conditions for playing their European matches.”
The Ligue de Football Professional (LFP) will have the final say and have been known to prioritise French sides’ chances of succeeding in Europe in these scenarios before.
PSG’s request is the same as one made by Strasbourg, who want their own game against Brest on April 12 moved, allowing them to focus on their Europa Conference League quarter-final with Mainz.
PSG don’t view either request as unreasonable. However, the French champions know any fixture changes falls exclusively within the LFP and will abide by their decision.
UEFA Coefficient Could be Boosted
The request was made so PSG could focus on Liverpool and then prepare as effectively as possible for the key game against Lens.
Sources note that the performances of French clubs on the European stage benefits all of French football and at a time when France only occupies sixth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings for the 2025/2026 season.
Securing fifth place in the UEFA coefficient would mean greater representation for French football in European competitions, with up to seven clubs qualifying.
And the prospect of seeing two French clubs reach the semi-finals of European competitions represents a significant opportunity for Ligue 1, both in sporting and economic terms.
Lens feel moving the fixture would affect the integrity of the title race, but will also accept the LFP’s decision if the game is switched.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is ‘seriously considering’ leaving the club this summer amid strong interest from Saudi Arabia, according to talkSPORT.
The Red Devils were on the verge of losing the Portugal international last summer as the Saudis looked to splash the cash with a deal worth £100m to Old Trafford, with wages worth up to around £700,000-a-week on offer.
However, the playmaker opted to stay in the Premier League rather than make the switch to the Middle East after holding talks with then-manager Ruben Amorim and his family, but their interest remains, and now he is understood to be considering making the move.
Bruno Fernandes ‘Seriously Considering’ Man Utd Exit
Fernandes, who recently broke David Beckham’s club-record for the most assists in a single season, has been in sensational form this season, registering eight goals and 16 assists in the Premier League.
The 31-year-old recently reached 100 goals and 100 assists for the club faster than Lionel Messi did for Barcelona, and will enter the final year of his contract at Old Trafford this summer.
It’s understood that the offer from Saudi Arabia is still on the table, with the club braced for a ‘historic bid’, but should Fernandes not be keen on a move to the Middle East, he does have a £57m release clause in his contract that can be triggered by any clubs in Europe outside of the Premier League.
Fernandes is believed to be seriously considering his options, despite the club being on the verge of returning to the Champions League next season while they sit third in the Premier League.
Man Utd don’t want to lose their captain though, despite being open to selling him last year, and it’s believed they may need to offer him fresh contract terms, including a wage hike, to keep him beyond this summer.
Man Utd Have Big Fernandes Decision
While the Reds are desperate to overhaul their midfield this summer, and also need to make a decision on who their next permanent manager will be, the decision on Fernandes may be their biggest.
A new contract may be difficult to justify, considering his age and the policy that INEOS are trying to put in place. If that means Fernandes leaves, then INEOS must ensure that he is adequately replaced for whoever the new manager is.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to name the top five candidates to replace him if he left, and this was its response:
- Morgan Gibbs-White – Creative, versatile No.10 with pressing intensity
- Cole Palmer – Elite chance creator, goals + assists output
- Jude Bellingham – World-class all-round attacking midfielder
- Morgan Rogers – Powerful carrier, direct attacking threat
- Oihan Sancet – Goal-scoring playmaker, strong late runs
Man Utd Ready to Pay £87m for ‘Unbelievable’ Star With Same G/A as Bruno Fernandes
Man Utd are ready to pay £87m for an ‘unbelievable’ Barcelona star who has as many goal contributions as Bruno Fernandes this season.
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