The strangest thing about this latest round of Twitter chatter is that it will surely amount to nothing as it appears McGregor wants to hash out the details publicly with the American fighter, offering up all of the terms for the world to see. It’s tough to give this round of blabber any stock, however when McGregor talks, hot air or not, it is news regardless.

As both fighters are under contract with the UFC, the chances of White signing off on these two heading outside the organisation for a charity match in Ireland is basically zero.

So far in 2020, McGregor has spent all of 40 seconds actually fighting, and it is safe to say everyone, including McGregor, is getting restless.

UFC fighters galore want to fight him for the potential financial benefits, including Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal, ageing legend Diego Sanchez and Justin Gaethje, who will get a crack at Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 in October for the lightweight title.

Problem is many believe White is fine with McGregor sitting on the sidelines to fight the winner of the UFC 254 title, even thought McGregor said earlier in the year he wanted to fight three times in 2020.

McGregor also publicly declared his retirement, for the third time, in June, in a message shrouded in uncertainty. Was he actually retired or was this another ploy by the outspoken, equally controversial superstar who is known for running his mouth? Once again, we are left with little to go on, and the world keeps spinning.

The UFC has had an interesting 2020. It was one of the first professional sports to resume action after the initial coronavirus outbreak, and has since been steadily putting on fights without fans, and you have to give White and company credit for pulling this off.

With restrictions imposed across the world, White has had his hands full with antsy fighters who are not used to sitting around and doing nothing.

White has publicly had to deal with high profile fighters calling him out on a number of issues including potential fights, the most famous being Jon Jones.

Let us also not forget before Masvidal stepped in with less than a week’s notice to fight Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight belt at UFC 251 in July, he was also verbally sparring with White about fighter pay.

This may be a case of cabin fever in the UFC, or it may be the sign of something else. It’s quite clear the UFC is having a difficult time getting its biggest draws in the Octagon on a regular basis, and the monopoly it holds over the MMA landscape means fighters have little leverage when it comes to asking for, and getting, what they want.

As much as a superstar like Jones, or McGregor, want to spout off on Twitter and take negotiations with White and the UFC public, the fact remains these guys have nowhere else to go. McGregor could obviously say “screw it” and fight Pacquiao and makes boatloads of cash, but it’s clear to see his heart remains in the UFC realm.

What is the answer here? Sadly there isn’t one where everyone is happy. This may be the new reality when it comes to the UFC. Fans are forced to sift through a daily serving of Twitter rants, gossip and half-baked fight ideas like McGregor-Poirier, waiting for official confirmation from the UFC as their only silver bullet.

Luckily, the UFC is putting on cards, and we still get to witness spectacular moments like Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya absolutely destroying Paulo Costa at UFC 253 to keep his middleweight title.

Sadly, the new reality is that between these excellent fights, MMA fans are now being forced to stomach an unprecedented amount of online trash talk that has now come to define the sport as much as the actual bouts themselves.

Here’s hoping McGregor gets in the Octagon soon enough. With who, who cares? Less talk, more action should be the UFC’s mantra heading into 2021.