On January 1, 2024, Conor McGregor announced on social media that he intends to fight Michael Chandler on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas. The bout will reportedly take place during the UFC’s International Fight Week. However, neither the UFC nor Chandler have confirmed the fight.
McGregor, 35, hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion says his return will occur in June 2024 against Michael Chandler at 185 pounds, which is middleweight in MMA.
McGregor, 35, announced via social media on Sunday that his “biggest comeback ever” would take place during UFC’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas, but the UFC has not publicly commented on that proposal.
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“I’d like to announce a comeback date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor,” McGregor said in a video on X. “The biggest comeback ever will be in Las Vegas, International Fight Week, June 29. The opponent, Michael Chandler – and the weight, Mr. Chandler, 185 pounds.”
Chandler, 37, told US on Sunday that he was not aware of any official date for the fight, but added, “Come on, this is the fight I’ve been training for. Any weight – 155, 170 , 185 pounds – is fine with me.”
The 185-pound proposal by McGregor is interesting, as both McGregor and Chandler are considered to have a “natural” fighting weight of 155 pounds. McGregor has won titles at 145 and 155 pounds, and he has competed up to 170 pounds. Chandler also holds a 155-pound title in another promotion and all five of his UFC appearances have come at 155 pounds.
McGregor (22-6) and Chandler (23-8) coached against each other on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series last year, but no official date for the fight has ever been set. Meanwhile, McGregor has expressed interest in several other bouts, ranging from a bare-knuckle boxing match to a professional bout against retired fighter Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor was also involved in a public dispute with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which served as the UFC’s anti-doping partner until the end of the year.
USADA said the partnership between it and the UFC soured because the UFC wanted to allow McGregor to fight without serving a mandatory six-month testing window after he pulled out of its testing pool. UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell denied those allegations and demanded a public apology.
Moving forward, the UFC has announced a new partnership with collection agency Drug Free Sports International. McGregor, from Dublin, has not fought since breaking his foot in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
