The excitement is palpable among fight fans as Ireland’s Conor McGregor is set to make his return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler.
This much-awaited clash will take place later this year at an event yet to be announced, following their stint as mentors on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
McGregor has been on a long road to recovery after his leg break during his fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He has been silent since the announcement of his comeback, except for a response to Chandler’s bout prediction.
However, he recently broke his silence in an interview with Mirror, where he expressed his eagerness to get back to fighting.
Conor McGregor is ready to return to the #UFC with a bang! 💥@TheNotoriousMMA told @DonaghCorby_ he flies out to Vegas today to start filming for The Ultimate Fighter: McGregor 🆚 Chandler 😍 pic.twitter.com/teM7ocfQww
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) February 14, 2023
“I’m looking forward to it,” McGregor said. “I feel good, I feel energetic, I feel ready. I’m throwing up my high kicks faster than I’m throwing out my jab. So I’m very excited to get back. [I fly to Vegas] tomorrow.”
Chandler, on the other hand, is looking to make a comeback of his own after recent losses, including a “Fight of the Year” contender loss to Poirier in November. Both fighters are determined to win, with the victor potentially raising their profile in preparation for a future championship chance.
The anticipation for this bout is already at an all-time high. McGregor will be returning to The Ultimate Fighter as a coach for the second time, after his previous stint in 2015 where he lost to Urijah Faber.