MMA News Roundup: Conor McGregor gives timeline for UFC return, T.J. Dillashaw to lose another year to shoulder injury, Jake Paul places unique bet for Anderson Silva fight
Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.
In today's issue, we talk about Conor McGregor's potential return, Jake Paul and Anderson Silva agreeing to a bet, and more.
#3. Conor McGregor eyes 2023 Q1 return to UFC
During an Instagram Live 'Ask-Me-Anything' session, Conor McGregor revealed that he has plans to return to the octagon as early as the first quarter of 2023.
The Irishman is currently filming for the Road House remake with Jake Gyllenhaal in the Dominican Republic. With his current schedule, a return in March next year will give him two months to train after the shooting is over, McGregor said:
"I'm gonna be back soon hopefully. Early 2023 I'm aiming for. You know, sometime in that first quarter. That'll give me a good couple of months. Once I wrap this in a couple of days, get this camp going, good couple of months and get going."
Watch the video posted by TheMacLife's YouTube channel below:
McGregor has fully recovered from the leg break he suffered against Dustin Poirier last year. He has hinted that his return is likely to be in the welterweight division, even though he recently attempted to exchange barbs with featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski and poked fun at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev on Twitter.
#2. T.J. Dillashaw to undergo surgery for shoulder injury
T.J. Dillashaw revealed after his TKO loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 that he was suffering from a shoulder injury. He further admitted that he had dislocated his left shoulder multiple times ahead of the fight and had informed the referee beforehand to not stop the fight if his shoulder got hurt.
During the bout, his corner set his shoulder back into place after a takedown by the bantamweight champion popped it out once again.
TENSE SCENES. Dillashaw's corner popping his shoulder back into place between rounds! 😳
🖥️ Watch #UFC280 LIVE NOW on BT Sport Box Office! https://t.co/iYy3nXCfhE
Speaking to ESPN's Brett Okamoto, Dillashaw said that he is scheduled to undergo surgery on his shoulder and that the recovery process is likely to keep him out for another year:
"Another year. Nine months until I can start training rough and tough, and then making sure everything is healed up."
Following the event, Dana White said that the UFC was unaware of Dillashaw's injury and that the fighter should have informed the promotion about it.
Dillashaw already lost two years of his career owing to a USADA suspension between 2019 and 2021. He got to compete only twice after return before the unfortunate shoulder injury reared its head.
#3. Jake Paul and Anderson Silva shake hands on pre-fight bets
Jake Paul offered an uncharacteristically well-meaning bet to Anderson Silva ahead of their fight on October 29.
Even before Paul could lay out the terms, Silva made it clear that he would not agree to any bets involving tattoos, like Paul's former opponent Tyron Woodley did. However, Paul suggested quite a generous and respectful wager:
"If you win, I'll give you something that you probably want... If you win, I will fight you in an MMA fight," Paul said.
Silva said he was retired from MMA and Paul offered a kickboxing match instead.
Paul then added that if he wins, the former UFC champion will have to agree to become the interim president of a fighters' union that will be created to push better pay and healthcare.
"But if I win, me and you come together to create a united fighters' association to help UFC fighters get better pay and better healthcare. You become the interim president. We unite to help these fighters once and for all."
Silva accepted Paul's terms without any hesitation and shook hands on stage, making the bet official.
Watch the video below:
The Bet https://t.co/MpMN1nBXHU