‘Greatest comeback of all time’ -awaited UFC return

Conor McGregor has said that he is ready to make the “greatest comeback of all time” this year as he sets his sights on a UFC return in June.

The 35-year-old made an announcement on New Year’s Eve on social media that he plans to take on Michael Chandler in Las Vegas this summer.

Speaking in the video on X, McGregor said: “Ladies and gentleman, a Happy New Year to you all. I would like to announce the return date for myself.

“The Notorious Conor McGregor. For the greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29th.

“The opponent, Michael Chandler. The weight, Mr Chandler, 185lb.”

McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in 2021 during his trilogy series defeat to Dustin Poirier.

There has been no official UFC response or statement following McGregor’s announcement.

Speaking to ESPN on Sunday, Chandler said he was also unaware of any potential upcoming bout, but said: “Here we go, this is the fight I’ve been training for.

“Any weight – 155, 170, 185 pounds – is good with me.”

Last year, both men signed up to be opposing coaches on the UFC’s reality TV series ‘The Ultimate Fighter’.

Chandler’s last fight also came in a defeat to Poirier in November 2022.

McGregor has only fought three times since losing an ill-tempered bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.

He returned in 2020 to beat Donald Cerrone in the 170lb division and become the first fighter to register knockouts at three weight classes – featherweight, lightweight and welterweight – before he suffered back-to-back defeats against long-time rival Poirier.

“At the end of the day, I say it all the time. Conor is extremely wealthy, he has a lot of different options in his life,” White said.

“When Conor gets that hunger back and really wants to come back and fight, it’s all up to him.

“If you look at what the guy has accomplished in such a short amount of time. The amount of money he’s made, the business opportunities he’s taking on outside of the Octagon. Conor can do whatever the hell Conor wants to do, and good for him.”

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