Ariel Helwani explains delay in Conor McGregor UFC return news

While hosting a live show before Saturday’s UFC 328 event in Newark, Helwani suggested that McGregor’s return could be announced during the broadcast.

That didn’t happen, and some fans have since criticised him for jumping the gun.

Speaking on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show, he addressed the delay, suggesting his report may have influenced the UFC to hold back on making the announcement.

“In the flow of our live show on Friday, I did say, ‘I can’t wait, in 24 hours I’m gonna shove it down all your throats,’” Helwani said, referencing doubt around his McGregor vs Holloway report.

“I can’t dictate or decide when they’re going to announce things. That’s arbitrary. What I can tell you are the facts. I will never get wrong fight bookings, matchups, things of that nature.”

Helwani remained confident that his report is accurate and that it’ll be confirmed soon enough.

“I’m telling you if you don’t believe me you’re gonna be proven wrong.”

This isn’t the first time Helwani has had issues with timing around big announcements. Back in 2016, he broke news of Brock Lesnar’s return at UFC 200 before the promotion had gone public with it.

McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout in 2021. More recently, a planned return against Michael Chandler was scrapped after he suffered a toe injury during training camp.

Now though there seems to be more momentum than ever behind talk of him finally stepping back into action this summer.