Conor McGregor in negotiations for a new UFC deal

Conor McGregor was seen sporting a cast on his left hand on Friday, this after apparently suffering an injury during a recent sparring session.

The former two division UFC champion, McGregor, took to Instagram where he assured fans that the injury was not serious and that he would “push on” through the adversity.

According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Conor McGregor is currently targetting a return to action in late summer or early fall.

The Irish superstar has not stepped foot inside the octagon since suffering a fourth round submission loss to reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.

Apparently the UFC had attempted to book ‘Mystic Mac’ for both of their upcoming July pay-per-view cards, but neither of the proposed offers came to fruition.

As per ESPN, the promotion had reserved Madison Square Garden for UFC 240. However, after Conor McGregor was ruled unavailable, the UFC went a different direction by booking the event to take place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

According to a report from Ariel Helwani, Conor McGregor and the UFC are currently in discussions in hopes of reaching a new deal.

The sticking point appears to be the UFC’s new deal with ESPN, which has altered the pay-per-view landscape. Being the biggest draw in Mixed Martial Arts history, Conor McGregor is the athlete most affected by this change.

Whether a new deal between the UFC and Conor McGregor will be reached remains to be seen.

McGregor has been obsessed with getting a second crack at his bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. But, it appears ‘The Eagle’ will have a title unification bout with Dustin Poirier before any rematch with the Irishman is made.

Most recently, Conor McGregor took to social media where he issued a challenge to former opponent and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, requesting a rematch. ‘Money Mayweather’ had defeated Conor via tenth-round TKO in their boxing match in August of 2017.