Conor McGregor is making his long-awaited return to the UFC.
On Saturday night time, UFC CEO Dana White instructed the media McGregor will combat Michael Chandler in a 170-pound combat at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas.
“There are all types of issues that go on behind the scenes, and it is all about timing. Chandler’s been prepared, however Conor hasn’t been prepared,” White said. “We talked about this in one of many press conferences just lately. He had quite a lot of obligations that he needed to take care of. What you don’t need him doing is accepting a combat when he is obtained a ton of obligations, and he cannot practice 100% for a combat, so right here we’re tonight.”
McGregor (22-6) has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a damaged left leg in his second straight loss to Dustin Poirier in UFC 264.
Marc Raimondi of ESPN noted McGregor and Chandler coached towards one another on “The Final Fighter” in 2023, and the plan was to have them combat after the present’s conclusion.
Whereas McGregor is the most important star in UFC historical past, it is honest to marvel if he’ll wrestle in his return. The 35-year-old has solely received one combat since 2016.
Chandler (23-8), in the meantime, hasn’t fought since dropping to Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022. Nevertheless, Raimondi added the 37-year-old has solely misplaced to the most effective fighters within the UFC, together with Charles Oliveria and Justin Gaethje.
Despite the fact that it seems each fighters are previous their prime, count on UFC followers to tune in because it options McGregor. He turned the primary fighter to concurrently maintain two divisional titles (the light-weight and featherweight belt).
Maybe McGregor will flip again the clock towards Chandler. As of Sunday, FanDuel lists him as the favourite (-128) in UFC 303.
