Conor McGregor was anticipated to appear on ESPN's popular morning show First Take with Stephen A. Smith this week, but the former UFC champion never arrived. According to a Page Six report, McGregor had been scheduled for the appearance as part of his media tour preceding his return to the Octagon. However, sources informed the outlet that he did not show up at ESPN's Hudson Square studios in New York, and his team provided no explanation.
The reported no-show quickly became a topic of discussion, as McGregor is currently promoting one of the biggest fights of his career. Fans expected to hear him discuss his comeback plans, but instead, the scheduled appearance ended without the Irish fighter reaching the studio. Neither ESPN nor McGregor's representatives publicly commented on the situation, as per Page Six.
Why Conor McGregor Missed Stephen A. Smith's First Take Appearance Remains Unclear
At present, no official reason exists for McGregor's absence. Page Six reported that when the outlet contacted the fighter's team, no explanation was provided for why he skipped the interview. The incident reminded some observers of another missed television appearance in 2023. At that time, McGregor was scheduled to appear on ABC's Good Morning America but did not attend. Page Six reported that his camp informed producers shortly before the show that he would not be appearing.
This latest event occurs during a busy period for McGregor. The former two-division UFC champion is preparing for his return to competition after several years away from the Octagon. According to the Page Six report, he is scheduled to face Max Holloway in Las Vegas in a rematch of their 2013 fight. Sports Illustrated described the matchup as "a rematch 13 years in the making."
McGregor has also been discussing his future plans during recent media appearances. The report noted that he announced another fight is already planned for July 2027, although the opponent has not yet been revealed. For now, the biggest unanswered question is simple: why did McGregor miss one of the most high-profile interviews on his promotional schedule? Until he or his team addresses the situation, fans are left wondering what happened behind the scenes.
