Conor McGregor lastly has a date for his UFC return.
Talking Wednesday on The MMA Hour, McGregor revealed that he and the UFC have formally agreed on plans for his long-discussed however oft-delayed comeback struggle.
“The decision has been made and we’re a go,” McGregor mentioned on The MMA Hour.
“This implies this summer time the Mac is again. So with I’m pleased with my time I’ve received within the lead-up to it, I’m pleased with the place I’m at, and every part simply works out in God’s identify. And I’m ecstatic the place I’m at. I’ve received nice information the opposite day.”
McGregor, 35, has been linked to a return bout towards Michael Chandler since teaching on The Final Fighter 31 in early 2023. After an extended, drawn-out saga, the previous two-division champ introduced the matchup on New 12 months’s Eve for June 29 on the UFC’s annual Worldwide Battle Week pay-per-view. UFC CEO Dana White subsequently denied these claims, nevertheless, and maintained that there was nothing on the books. White reiterated that sentiment a number of instances in latest months, stating that he didn’t know when — or if — McGregor would return, citing McGregor’s wealth as a complicating issue within the state of affairs.
McGregor has not competed since struggling a damaged leg in his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier, however has repeatedly voiced his displeasure about not being booked by the UFC.
McGregor on Wednesday declined to disclose whether or not June 29 stays the date and as an alternative mentioned he’d permit UFC to announce the main points. Different specifics similar to rounds and weight class have additionally not been decided, McGregor mentioned, however “The Infamous” nonetheless holds out hope that his comeback solely serves as step one of a two-fight yr for him in 2024.
“Take a look at Anthony Joshua proper now, with consistency. I used to be watching ringside, I watched — growth, growth, growth, sharper every time,” McGregor mentioned. “Take a look at [Joseph] Parker … superb warrior of a person, superb boxer, have a look at him — growth, growth, growth. Consistency breeds high quality. So I’m coming in right here, years out of the sport.
“Now I’m sparring and combating and I really feel good and sharp, however I’m going to must get my in-league sharpness, and that’s going to have to return by way of the issues. So the load has no been mentioned. I do know I had that little buzz — I haven’t mentioned the load. To be trustworthy, I haven’t jumped on weigh-in scales for the reason that [Dustin Poirier] struggle, the final struggle. Since I weighed in on the final one, I’ve not touched the scales, not as soon as. So I don’t even [know], I’ll must undergo all that. After which rounds, perhaps I’d say them, ‘Look, I’m simply going three rounds, lads, for this one, and I need to simply moist my beak.’
“As a result of I’ll do three three rounds actually properly now. And relatively than pushing by way of to get to 5 — it’s simply, I really feel if I push proper now to stroll towards 5 full health rounds, I really feel like the primary three rounds wouldn’t be as sharp as I may get them. So I’d relatively sharpen the blade of three, and go in good and sharp and contemporary, get the texture, get the struggle. Chandler goes to return for it, Chandler goes to return at me, he’s going to need to attempt to interact and are available at me. He’s going to must, and that’s his type. So I believe three is a stunning one.”
McGregor is at present selling his function within the upcoming Highway Home remake alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, which premieres completely on Amazon Prime on March 21, however vowed to show his flip his full focus to getting ready for his UFC return as soon as the press tour ends.
“I can’t act the bollocks now,” McGregor mentioned. “That’s the factor. You’re f****** flat out and I’m doing these camps, however nothing’s actually there, so it’s form of just like the outdated temptation — my beautiful Correct 12 Irish whiskey, my beautiful port stout, my beautiful penchant for a little bit of insanity and a little bit of good music in my ears and dancing and all the remainder of it. And now I’ve to tighten up. I’m stepping into there, the person’s going to attempting to be swinging bombs at me, so it’s nice for me. It’s nice for me and I’m excited and I can’t wait. Like I mentioned, I received the sparring going straightaway, felt good, educated as we speak, and onwards we go.”
