Conor McGregor breaks silence after UFC 286 snub to praise winner as he eyes Leon Edwards’ title ahead of Chandler fight

CONOR MCGREGOR has spoken out after snubbing UFC 286 to praise one of the card’s winners.

The Notorious revealed earlier this week that he was planning to attend the blockbuster pay-per-view card in London, which was headlined by a welterweight title fight between Brit Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

PAConor McGregor was expected to be in attendance for Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman III[/caption]

But The Notorious no-showed the historic O2 Arena cardREX

TWITTERMcGregor took to Twitter to praise long-time training partner Gunnar Nelson for his win over Bryan Barbarena[/caption]

But the Irishman no-showed the event – despite long-time training partner and friend Gunnar Nelson being in action on the main card.

Nelson scored a scintillating first-round submission victory over the dogged Bryan Barbarena with a slick armbar.

And McGregor took to social media to praise the Icelandic welterweight for his quick work of Bam Bam.

Quote-tweeting a snap of himself and Nelson from the UFC 189 post-fight press conference, McGregor wrote: “Congrats @GunniNelson!

“One of the greatest fighters I’ve ever known personally. What a fighter is the Icelander!”

McGregor, 34, was expected to be in attendance at the O2 to try to position himself for a crack at the welterweight title.

And Edwards is willing to give the Irishman the opportunity to become a three-weight world champion, provided he gets a win in the division.

Rocky said: “Anyone can get it .

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“Prove your case in the division and I’ll give you a title shot.

“I want to be an active champion, I’m only young so I want to be fighting.

“So if he proves his case, I will fight him.”

Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Mystic Mac is set to return to action later this year in a mouthwatering showdown with Michael Chandler.

A date for the fight, however, hasn’t been set as McGregor has yet to re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool.

The Dubliner must be in the pool for a minimum of six months before he’s eligible to compete.

He could, however, return sooner if he’s given an exemption – although USADA have seemingly suggested they won’t give him one and it will be down to the UFC brass.