Jake Paul Claims There Is Contract Conspiracy That Makes McGregor Not Back To The Octagon

Conor McGregor has yet to make a comeback to the octagon (Instagram/@thenotoriousmma).

JAKARTA - Jake Paul has a conspiracy theory about why Conor McGregor has not returned to Oktagon. According to him, there is a contract conspiracy involving UFC boss, Dna White.

McGregor should have been a highly anticipated comeback in June 2024 against Michael Chandler. However, the duel had to be postponed due to McGregor's reported injury.

In fact, McGregor is eager to return to the octagon as soon as possible even though his return date has not been set.

However, Paul has claimed that Dana White and UFC officials deliberately postponed McGregor's return to the octagon as they are currently bidding for broadcasting rights, which will be updated in 2025.

"So they (UFC) are trying to renew their deal. They are negotiating with many people."

"However, say they will cooperate with ESPN. They are trying to renew the deal and get the most amount of money."

"The part of the negotiations is that they have Conor McGregor for two more fights."

"If (Conor) fights now, it won't be part of the negotiations. The company will only have Conor for one fight," said the YouTuber in the final episode of the BS with Jake Paul podcast.

Currently ESPN has a broadcasting right to UFC in North America although that could soon change.

The President of TKO Group Holdings, which oversees the UFC, Mark Shapiro, seemed to agree with Jake Paul's statement.

"Now the landscape is growing, as we discussed. ESPN is almost launching their own flagship products aimed directly at consumers."

"Peacock is trying (to) increase their penetration. Paramount + uses sports to increase their penetration."

"We've talked about Apple, Amazon, YouTube, a lot of great places for us to visit."

"However, we will be flexible so that we provide potential partners or partners with the best program for the most ideal time."

"This is done so that they can develop their base and maintain their (subscription). It is very important," said Shapiro in May 2024.

McGregor was negotiating with the UFC over a new deal before his broken left finger forced him out of the fight against Chandler.

In an exclusive interview with SunSport, the Irish man hinted that talks about a new contract had cooled.

"You know, the fight never happened. So, it's just about starting a fight."

However, The Notorious did not give up on returning to action in December 2024.

He was also interested about the possibility of becoming the last PPV star in 2024, UFC 310 in Las Vegas

"It sounds good to me. It sounds good to me, my brother," he said in The Sun.