Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler date and venue announced for UFC clash

31 December 2023 , 17:32

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Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler date and venue announced for UFC clash

Conor McGregor will make his UFC return against Michael Chandler on June 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Irishman is far and away the promotion's biggest ever star, but has been out of action for over two years after suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July of 2021. At times, it appeared a comeback was off the cards, but it has been confirmed the bout will take place on June 29th in Las Vegas for the UFC's International Fight Week.

McGregor had promised fans an announcement on New Year's Day and he stuck to his word by tweeting a video in which he 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 said before breaking into laughter.

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If the fight does take place at middleweight, it would mark both McGregor and Chandler's debuts at the weight class. The rivals, who coached against each other on The Ultimate Fighter, were expected to fight in December before McGregor's return was delayed by his absence from the USADA drug-testing pool. UFC 300 in April was then plotted as the next potential date, but Dana White insisted McGregor wouldn't fight until the summer.

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The Irishman criticised the UFC for delaying his return whilst in attendance Anthony Joshua's fight last weekend as he teased a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao if the promotion were unable to find him a fight. UFC boss White then held talks with McGregor about his return whilst the pair were both in the Middle East.

Conor McGregor will fight Michael Chandler in June (Getty Images)

Chandler has expressed confidence about the bout, telling the Irishman when the pair squared off at the start of the season that he was planning a second round finish. "I give you props and respect," he told McGregor as the pair met in the UFC's Las Vegas Performance Institute. "Hardest fight you could come back and take... second round KO, I'll hit you with the hard ones in the first."

The pair are both coming off the back of losses to Poirier, with Chandler suffering a submission defeat in November at Madison Square Garden. McGregor was knocked out in January of 2021 when he first rematched his old rival, before breaking his leg while stepping back from a kick in the trilogy to go 1-2 against the Louisiana native.

Donagh Corby