Lead UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik nonetheless has excessive hopes for Conor McGregor’s future within the octagon.
Regardless of the uncertainty round a brand new date for McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) to make his highly-anticipated return from harm following his withdrawal from the UFC 303 primary occasion vs. Michael Chandler this previous month, Anik will not be amongst those that don’t see “The Infamous” ever combating once more.
In truth, Anik thinks that after McGregor, 35, has his subsequent battle scheduled, it would kick off a window the place the world will get to witness him compete a number of occasions. It might sound unrealistic, however Anik maintains a excessive diploma of hope about what’s on the horizon for the brash Irishman.
“I’ve been waxing optimistic on Conor for a very long time,” Anik instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters in a current interview on the 2024 UFC Corridor of Fame purple carpet. “I totally anticipate him to compete in 2024, to come back again at a excessive degree. Battle twice in eight months. I do know it sounds ridiculous and tremendous formidable to some folks, however I simply know the combined martial arts athlete is in there, and I simply stay hopeful that he’s going to come back again and make extra of an influence than anybody expects that he’ll.”
The UFC brass managed to salvage the UFC 303 card within the aftermath of McGregor’s harm pullout for a damaged pinkie toe. It put collectively Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka for the sunshine heavyweight title as a substitute headliner, amongst different additions.
In the end, Anik would’ve most popular to name a McGregor battle on June 29. Nonetheless, he’s happy with how the promotion responded.
“I messaged Conor after UFC 300 and I mentioned, ‘Solely factor greater than 300 is McGregor vs. anyone,’” Anik mentioned. “So the largest factor we are able to do is have a Conor McGregor-led pay-per-view. That’s not our actuality at (UFC 303), however this firm clearly involves the rescue and is ready to current a deeper pay-per-view.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 303.
Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.