Conor McGregor Teases Return to UFC Against Michael Chandler at International Fight Week
Conor McGregor, the UFC’s most prominent star, has hinted at his long-awaited comeback to the octagon. After being sidelined for over two years due to injury, McGregor suggested in a social media post on Sunday that he would face off against Michael Chandler at International Fight Week on June 29 in Las Vegas. However, the UFC has yet to confirm the matchup, and McGregor has a history of hyping fights that never materialize.
According to McGregor’s post, the bout would take place at the middleweight limit of 185 pounds. Neither McGregor nor Chandler has ever competed in this weight division. Nevertheless, Chandler expressed his willingness to fight at any weight, stating on social media, “I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best. 185 would look good on me.”
McGregor, who previously held both the UFC featherweight and lightweight belts simultaneously, has been diligently training for his return since suffering a broken leg in his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The Irish fighter was initially scheduled to face Chandler after coaching against him on “The Ultimate Fighter” last year.
In August, McGregor shared and later deleted a leaked screenshot suggesting that he and Chandler would fight at UFC 296, the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of 2023. However, UFC President Dana White refuted these claims, stating that no such fight had been arranged.
This is not the first time McGregor has generated buzz with potential matchups outside of the UFC. In 2020, he briefly mentioned a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia before deleting the post. McGregor, who previously fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match, has been vocal about his desire to face Pacquiao in the ring.
As for Chandler, he has not competed since his third-round submission loss to Poirier in November 2022. Prior to joining the UFC, Chandler held the lightweight title in Bellator for an extended period.
In conclusion, fans eagerly await confirmation from the UFC regarding the McGregor-Chandler matchup. If finalized, this fight would undoubtedly be a highlight of International Fight Week and a significant moment in McGregor’s comeback journey.
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(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)