Last year, UFC star Michael Chandler called Conor McGregor “the most unreliable human being” after the Irishman once again delayed the highly anticipated fight between them. This was no ordinary trash talk from Chandler; he spoke from a place of frustration and heartbreak, having waited nearly two years, fully prepared to face McGregor, only to watch his own career stall. The fight, which seemed tantalizingly close at UFC 303, ultimately collapsed when McGregor’s injury dashed fans’ hopes.

Since then, Conor McGregor has stayed out of the Octagon after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He tried multiple comebacks, but his business ventures, Hollywood ambitions, and tensions with USADA repeatedly blocked his return. Even Dana White admitted, “He’s not fighting anytime soon.” However, now that ‘The Notorious’ has re-entered the testing pool, aiming to fight next year at the UFC White House event, coinciding with America’s 250th Independence Day on July 4.

As the world and Dana White tentatively place faith in him again, Conor McGregor continues to cultivate his “unreliable” persona. Most recently, he planned to appear on Ariel Helwani’s podcast but canceled at the last moment. Helwani addressed the disappointment directly to fans on YouTube Live: “I did announce that Conor McGregor would be in studio today on the program. I hinted at this yesterday. If you recall, I said it could be a great day. Then I got the official confirmation that he was coming in and he was going to talk about BKFC and everything else going on in his life.”

“Unfortunately, some 30 minutes or so ago, I got the word that that is not happening, that he’s not coming in, that he will not be on the show today. This is obviously very disappointing for several reasons.”

Meanwhile, McGregor continues to juggle two tasks simultaneously. On one hand, he sharpens his tools for a potential UFC White House fight, a stage that could redeem his fractured legacy. On the other hand, he cements his role as co-owner of BKFC, a position that has added both responsibility and spotlight to his already chaotic orbit.

Fans slam Conor McGregor for ditching Ariel Helwani

Much like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor rarely sits down with the MMA media. He has made it clear that he doesn’t need the traditional press machinery, holding his superstar status like a crown he alone commands. Yet whenever he speaks, the world leans in—every statement explodes into headline news. He once granted interviews regularly, but now he breaks news directly on his X account, shaping the story on his own terms. This prompted a fan to mock the senior journalist Helwani, commenting, “Conor never intended to show up; he was just trolling.”

Ariel Helwani, a veteran and a prominent face in MMA media, has shared the spotlight with McGregor in the past. Now running his own show, Helwani faces the whims of the Irish superstar. The fan commented, “Conor really done”—emphasized on the voice—which split the MMA world, with one camp cheering for his return and another skeptical. ‘Mystic Mac’ still has two fights left on his UFC contract, and his ticket-selling power keeps Dana White and the UFC fully invested in him.

Even outside the cage, Conor McGregor drives his responsibilities as BKFC co-owner with relentless energy. He travels to events, whether in Marbella or Montenegro, and leaves no stone unturned in promoting them. Yet he sparked another controversy when he ditched Helwani’s show at the last minute. Helwani didn’t mask his frustration, but his words already carried the sting: “There’s obviously a lot to discuss with him. I’m bummed. I’m disappointed.” However, fans weren’t happy with Ariel Helwani’s apparent bias toward BKFC. One angry fan commented, “First Conor, and now the BKFC belting.”

This isn’t the first time Helwani and Conor McGregor have navigated turbulent waters. Helwani conducted a reflective conversation with McGregor in Dublin at The Black Forge Inn, where they shared insights on his career and the sport’s evolution over a beer. Seeing Helwani’s anger now, a fan commented: “Chill Ariel LMFAOOO,” a sentiment echoed by another: “Conor flaked.”

Even their moments of camaraderie haven’t been without mishap. Last year, the duo hugged in a lobby, and Conor McGregor accidentally struck Helwani with a shoulder. Currently, they have not scheduled a date for their next conversation. A fan mocked the situation, commenting: “No Conor LMAOOOO.”

The silver lining is that McGregor is most likely in America, and the UFC, along with Dana White’s team, is probably gearing up at full throttle. The next chapter in this saga remains unwritten, but we’ll keep you updated—stay tuned.