Conor McGregor has finally set a date for his return to the UFC.
speak on wednesday MMA Hour, McGregor has announced that he and the UFC have officially reached an agreement on plans for his long-discussed but often postponed comeback fight.
“I got the call and I was ready to go,” McGregor said. MMA hour.
“This means Mac is coming back this summer. So by then I'm happy with my time, I'm happy with where I am, and it's all in the name of God.” It's going to be great. And I'm excited about where I'm at. I had some great news the other day.”
McGregor, 35, has been linked with a return match against Michael Chandler since he took over as coach in 2019. ultimate fighter 31 After a long and drawn-out saga, the former two-division champions announced a matchup at UFC's annual International Fight Week pay-per-view on June 29, New Year's Eve. However, UFC CEO Dana White has since denied those claims and claimed there is nothing on the books. White has reiterated that idea multiple times in recent months, saying he doesn't know when or if McGregor will return, and citing McGregor's wealth as a complicating factor.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his foot in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, but has repeatedly expressed frustration at not being booked by the UFC.
McGregor declined Wednesday to say whether June 29 will remain that date, instead saying he will allow the UFC to announce details. McGregor said other details such as rounds and weight classes are also still being determined, but “The Notorious” is still holding out hope that his return will only serve as the first step in a two-fight year in 2024. He said he was there.
“Look at Anthony Joshua now, he's consistent. I was watching him at ringside the whole time – boom, boom, boom, he got sharper and sharper each time,” McGregor said. “look [Joseph] Parker… great guy warrior, great boxer, look at him — boom, boom, boom. Consistency creates quality. So I've been out of the game for years and come here.
“Right now I'm sparring and competing and I'm feeling good and sharp, but I need to get my sharpness back around the league and that's going to have to work through things. So as far as weight goes. It hasn't been discussed. I know it's been talked about a little bit, but we haven't talked about weight. To be honest, I haven't stepped on the scale since then. [Dustin Poirier] The battle, the final battle. I haven't touched the scale since the last time I weighed myself.That's why I don't either [know], you have to experience it all. Then we'll do a round and maybe I'll say to them, “Look, I'm going for three rounds now, guys, I want to get my beak wet this time.”
“Because now you can do three rounds really well. And instead of pushing to get to five rounds, just try to get five fitness rounds now and be sharp enough to get the first three rounds. I feel like it's not going to happen. So I'd rather sharpen my three blades, come in feeling good, sharp, fresh, get my senses, and go into battle. Chandler comes to get it. Well, Chandler is going to come at me, he's going to come at me trying to engage. He has to do that and that's his style. So 3 is a nice thing. I think so.”
McGregor is currently promoting his role in the upcoming film road house He will be remade with Jake Gyllenhaal and streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime on March 21st, but he has vowed to focus his full attention on preparing for his return to the UFC once the press tour concludes.
“I can't do anything reckless right now,” McGregor said. “That's the thing. You're totally shitty and I'm camping and there's really nothing, so it's like the old seduction — my nice proper 12 Irish whiskey, my nice Port stout, my nice hobby A little bit of madness and a little bit of nice music in my ears, dancing and all that. And now I have to tighten up. When I go there, man That's great for me because I'm about to start swinging bombs around. That's great for me and I'm excited and I can't wait. Like I said, sparring will be coming soon. I started, I felt good, I trained today, so I’m moving on.”
