Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the octagon is set to take place in 2024. Or so he says.
The 35-year-old Irishman announced that he will fight Michael Chandler during UFC’s International Fight Week while sipping on a glass of wine with a luxury watch on his wrist. He called it the “greatest comeback of all-time” and laughed maniacally while declaring his future with the promotion.
Should it take place on June 29th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as he says, it would be McGregor’s first fight in more than two years after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July of 2021. And if his proclamation is true, it would mark a “first” for both he and his opponent.
McGregor said that his bout with Michael Chandler will take place at 185 pounds, which would mark both of their debuts as middleweights. The former fought within the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions in the past. The latter fought in the welterweight division in 2010 and 2011 before moving to the lightweight class ever since.
Interestingly enough, both guys are coming off of losses to Poirier. Chandler was defeated by submission in November. McGregor was knocked out by Poirier in their first rematch and then snapped his leg in the third of three fights.
The two rivals, who once coached against each other on The Ultimate Fighter, were expected to fight in the final month of 2023. However, McGregor’s return was delayed due to his absence from the USDA drug-testing pool.
April was the next target date. Dana White later pushed it back.
Conor McGregor notably criticized the UFC for delaying his return while in attendance at Anthony Joshua’s fight last weekend. He even teased a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao if White didn’t find him a fight sooner than later.
Now, one week later, it’s all set!