Conor McGregor’s potential return to the Octagon this summer has stirred considerable anticipation among fight enthusiasts.
Initially announced by McGregor himself on New Year’s Eve, his slated bout against Michael Chandler during International Fight Week on June 29 appeared promising. However, as time passed, the fight failed to materialize into an official confirmation. UFC CEO Dana White even cast doubt on McGregor’s participation in any fights this year.
Nevertheless, during the premiere of “Road House,” McGregor offered reassurance that his clash with Michael Chandler is indeed back on track for the summer.
“We got confirmation a few days ago that it’s all systems go,” McGregor disclosed to ESPN. “And ‘The Mac’, ‘The Notorious’ will be returning to the UFC Octagon this summer.”
Expressing his recent struggles with maintaining training motivation in the absence of confirmed fights, McGregor emphasized that his upcoming showdown with Chandler demands his full dedication.
“I had [my training] camp in Dubai [months ago], I had a camp in Cannes,” McGregor elaborated. “I was preparing, and then I was kind of getting nothing back. And then other things came up and I kind of dipped out. But now, it’s on. So, there’s no messing now. I cannot dip out now.”
Despite the fight not yet being officially scheduled, McGregor’s enthusiasm to step into the Octagon against Chandler remains undiminished. The exact timing of the bout remains uncertain, but McGregor is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to confront Chandler, particularly in light of the latter’s remarks on WWE’s Monday Night Raw.
“Shut up, Michael, you f—ing imbecile,” McGregor exclaimed. “The man doesn’t shut up. I seen him on ‘Raw.’ I like Mike — I’m going to bust him up. I’m going to bust Mike up, yeah? If I say it, I do it. … If I say it, it gets done. Put that on my stone.”
Having last fought in July 2021, where he sustained an injury against Dustin Poirier, McGregor is poised to make a long-awaited return to the Octagon, aiming to deliver an impactful performance against Chandler.
