Conor McGregor has said he will fight in September and December after making his long-awaited return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
Two-weight champion McGregor will have been out of the Octagon for almost three years when he faces Chandler in Las Vegas on June 29, returning after successive defeats to Dustin Poirier in 2021, breaking a leg in the second of those losses.
“I’ll do three this year,” the 35-year-old told The Mac Life, adding that the second scrap will be around the time of Mexican Independence Day on September 16.
“It could be against a fighter of Mexican heritage. I don’t know the ins and outs of it. I thought that would be a lovely one.
“I’m up for anyone. I don’t really care who is it. I just want to be active. They are queueing up.”
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McGregor remains the most marketable and best-known fighter in MMA, although he has lost three of his last four bouts.
McGregor v Chandler records
Chandler is two years McGregor’s senior and has a mixed record since joining the UFC, losing three of his five bouts.
The fighter known as ‘Iron’ knocked out Dan Hooker on his promotion debut in 2021 but was stopped by Charles Oliveira when he challenged for the lightweight crown.
He then lost a thriller by decision against Justin Gaethje and knocked out Tony Ferguson in impressive style at UFC 274.
Conor McGregor on his upcoming fight against Michael Chandler:
“I’m ready to go. I’m calm, I’m composed. I’m cold in the soul for this man, yeah…
I’m coming back with a vengeance, and I’m coming back with skill.”
🎥 @THEMACLIFE #UFC303 #UFC #MMA PIC.TWITTER.COM/JAIDNIOM0L
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) MAY 21, 2024
The American has not fought since suffering a submission loss to Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.
McGregor and Chandler have been on a collision course because of their positions as rival coaches on the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality TV series.
After his fighters fell 6-0 behind in bouts against Chandler’s team, McGregor hurled insults at Chandler in an altercation which became physical before White stepped in.
