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Marc Raimondi, ESPN Staff Writer
Conor McGregor could return to the Octagon relatively soon after his feature film debut.
The former two-time UFC champion and one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport told ESPN on Tuesday that he will return to action this summer against Michael Chandler. The exact date and event are still unknown.
“A few days ago, we received confirmation that all systems are working properly,” he said, promoting his first acting role in the movie “Road House,” which will be released on Amazon Prime on March 21. McGregor said. “And ‘The Mack,’ ‘The Notorious,’ will be returning to the UFC Octagon this summer.”
The UFC has not yet officially announced McGregor's return. McGregor vs. Chandler has been planned for a long time, ever since they coached opposite each other on the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” last year. McGregor previously said the fight would be at UFC 303 on June 29th.
Chandler has frequently criticized McGregor publicly, including on an episode of WWE's Monday Night Raw last month. UFC and WWE are sister companies under a publicly traded company called TKO Group, which is owned by Hollywood media agency Endeavor.
“Shut up, Michael, you idiot,” McGregor said. “The man won't shut up. I saw him on 'Raw.'” I like Mike — I'm gonna crush him. I'm gonna crush Mike, okay? I said that. If I do…if I say it, it's done. stone. “
McGregor originally said in January that the fight would take place at 185 pounds. He has fought at 145, 155, and 170 pounds for most of his career. McGregor had some fun with Chandler on Tuesday regarding his weight, and he said he doesn't know in what weight class the fight will ultimately take place.
Either way, McGregor said he's happy to have something to start training in earnest again.
“I had [my training] camping in dubai [months ago]I was camping in Cannes,” McGregor said. “I was preparing and I didn't get anything. And then other things happened and I got depressed. But now it's starting. So there's no confusion now. You can’t jump now.”
McGregor, 35, hasn't fought since July 2021, when he broke his left foot in a fight with Dustin Poirier. He's currently in New York promoting Road House, and he plans to ride his bike in Central Park for some cardio, he said. He has already hit the pads there with boxing coach Phil Sutcliffe.
McGregor (22-6) held both the lightweight and featherweight titles in 2016, becoming the first dual UFC champion. Irishman McGregor has headlined some of the biggest pay-per-views in martial arts history, including boxing in 2017. A match with Floyd Mayweather. If McGregor returns, he will be looking for his second MMA victory in the past eight years.
As for his future beyond his next fight, McGregor said he has two fights left on his UFC contract. He hopes to fight Chandler and his nemesis Nate Diaz on September's UFC Mexico Independence Day card, which is planned as the first mixed martial arts event at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
“I think that was the perfect fight,” McGregor said of Diaz at the Sphere.
If these fights materialize, McGregor said he is unsure of the situation that could develop.
“Shall we sign a new contract?” McGregor said of the UFC. “Should I go? Free agent? I love the UFC with all my heart. My heart is in the UFC. My catalog, my life. I love everyone in the company, every fighter, every event, I love all the shows and everything” card. I want to continue this, but I have no idea what will happen. ”
McGregor said he doesn't know what will happen next, but he expects “further battles” to take place in addition to the film as the lead role. McGregor plays the villain opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Roadhouse. He said he likes the idea of playing multiple types of roles in different movies, like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
“Certainly, I feel like a lot of great movies could revolve around me and be unique,” McGregor said. “There could be a Stallone movie, there could be a Schwarzenegger movie. There could be a really, really McGregor movie, and it could be a wide range of movies, and that would really brighten the game.”
