If all went according to the UFC’s plans, this week was supposed to unfold in a dramatically different way for Conor McGregor and the company.
According to UFC sources, the promotion was close to coming to terms with McGregor on a new contract this week, though several stumbling blocks remained.
Regardless, UFC brass were hopeful they would be able to finalize a new deal with the Irish superstar and thus announce his long-awaited return at the 25th anniversary press conference Friday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
In fact, once Tony Ferguson was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury from his UFC 223 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov on Sunday, a plan was floated to remove Khabib Nurmagomeov from the card and have him face Conor McGregor later this year.