Conor McGregor has announced that he will face Michael Chandler in his long-awaited return to competition.
McGregor has been inactive since suffering a broken tibia in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021 but has since returned to training and has been preparing for a return to the Octagon.
In a video posted on his social media, McGregor revealed that he will take on the former lightweight challenger at the UFC‘s International Fight Week card on June 29.
The pair served as opposing coaches on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter last year, and fans have been anticipating a date for their showdown ever since.
Chandler had previously expressed concerns that McGregor would instead look to complete his trilogy with Nate Diaz, a bout he called an ‘easier fight’ for the 35-year-old.
Conor McGregor has revealed details of his long-awaited UFC return in a post on social media
The Irishman announced that he will take on Michael Chandler in Las Vegas on June 29
The fight will take place at the promotion’s flagship International Fight Week event
Spotify Privacy Policy
McGregor also revealed that the bout will take place in the 185lbs weight class, a division that neither he nor Chandler has previously fought in.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, a happy New Year to you all.’ McGregor said in a video posted on X.
‘I’d like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.
‘The greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29 and the opponent, Michael Chandler.
‘And the weight, Mr Chandler, 185lbs.’
Chandler replied to the news via social media, insisting that he welcomed the fight taking place at middleweight.
Chandler responded on social media, insisting that he welcomes the fight taking place at 185lbs
The former two-weight world champion added that the fight will take place at 185lbs, a weight neither he nor Chandler have previously fought at
‘I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best.’ He said on X.
‘185 would look good on me.’
After the news of McGregor’s return was announced, Ariel Helwani revealed the Irishman had been angling to return in the main event of the UFC 300 card in April before agreeing to face Chandler in June after discussions with the promotion.
As it stands, the landmark event will be headlined by Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title, with Belal Muhammad currently the leading contender to challenge for the gold.
After becoming a two-weight world champion in Cage Warriors, McGregor would sign with the UFC in 2013 and embark on a dominant run in the featherweight division, reeling off five consecutive wins before defeating Chad Mendes to claim the interim featherweight title.
McGregor has been preparing for a return to competition since recovering from a leg injury suffered in his last UFC fight
The 35-year-old recently suggested he could embark on another foray into professional boxing
McGregor’s final fight at 145lbs saw him defeat long-reigning champion in stunning fashion after just 13 seconds to unify the belts.
Since then the Irishman has competed at both 155lbs and 170lbs, defeating Eddie Alvarez in the former to become a the first-ever UFC simultaneous two-weight world champion.
Traditionally held in July, International Fight Week has been a fixture of the UFC’s calendar since 2011, with the first edition of the event headlined by UFC 148 that saw Chael Sonnen rematch Anderson Silva for the middleweight title.
Last year the event in Las Vegas included a Hall of Fame ceremony, a two-day fan experience and a UFC 290 card that was headlined by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski’s clash with Yair Rodriguez.
