Conor McGregor has revealed that his return to the Octagon will take place on Saturday, June 29, against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas. The former two-division UFC champion announced the bout, which will be contested at middleweight, through a video on social media. This highly anticipated fight, featuring the coaches from “The Ultimate Fighter 31,” will headline the UFC pay-per-view fight card during International Fight Week.
In the video message, McGregor said, “Ladies and gentlemen, a Happy New Year to you all. I’d like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious,’ Conor McGregor, for the greatest comeback of all time. [The fight] will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June the 29th. And the opponent [is] Michael Chandler. And the weight, Mr. Chandler, [is] 185 pounds,” concluding with a laugh.
Conor McGregor (22-6), the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, aims to bounce back after two TKO defeats to Dustin Poirier. His last fight in July 2021 ended with a broken tibia in the first round, and in January of the same year, he was stopped in the second round with punches. McGregor’s most recent victory dates back to January 2020 when he defeated Donald Cerrone in the first round, marking his Octagon return.
Michael Chandler (23-8), a former two-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion, was submitted by Poirier in November 2022. In May of the same year, Chandler secured a first-round TKO against Tony Ferguson. Chandler faced setbacks in November 2021, losing a unanimous decision to Justin Gaethje, and in May 2021, where he was stopped in the second round by Charles Oliveira in a UFC lightweight title challenge.
The official announcement from the promotion regarding the McGregor vs. Chandler fight is expected shortly. In the UK and Australia, the bout will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 30.