UFC star Conor McGregor vows ‘greatest return in combat sports’

Conor McGregor’s extremely anticipated return to the UFC has been on maintain, however that quickly could possibly be altering.

With “The Final Fighter 31” premiering Tuesday on ESPN, there’s a rising perception that the announcement of a battle between coaches McGregor and Michael Chandler quickly will comply with. And when McGregor lastly steps again within the cage, he vows it’ll be not like any return that’s been seen earlier than.

“Not solely only a return, the best return in fight sports activities,” McGregor mentioned in an interview with Megan Olivi launched Tuesday on the UFC’s YouTube channell. “That is gonna be – I’m gonna kick this man within the head. He’s simply tailor made for being kicked far and wide, and that’s what I’m aiming for.

“I’m aiming to wrap this metal bar across the opponent. You’re gonna see a visible of the leg hanging off, and you then’re gonna see a visible of a head hanging off.”

McGregor hasn’t competed since July 2021 when he was taken off on a stretcher after breaking his leg in an harm TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Since then, McGregor endured a grueling restoration, though he’s been seen on social media dwelling the nice life because the richest fighter in MMA and dabbling in different ventures, all of the whereas remaining out of the U.S. Anti-Doping Company’s drug-testing pool.

McGregor will want six months within the pool earlier than he can battle once more. McGregor mentioned he accepted the “TUF 31” teaching gig just because it was time.

“It’s time for me to immerse myself again within the recreation,” McGregor mentioned. “I used to be simply excited to get again, couldn’t flip down the supply.”

And so the expectation is for McGregor, 34, to battle former Bellator light-weight champion Chandler, 37, in a welterweight bout in November or December. McGregor mentioned he relishes the matchup with Chandler however added that the opponent for his return finally didn’t matter.

He simply desires to get again on observe after being largely inactive with simply 4 fights (and a 1-3 document) since his submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.

“He’s placed on some thrilling fights, he’s keen, he’s prepared to battle, he’s a gamer, you’d name him, and he’s not a foul fighter, both,” McGregor mentioned of Chandler, who’s 2-3 since becoming a member of the UFC in 2021. “I’m proud of the opponent. I don’t really care. I accepted this present; it was me and Chandler. Once more, it doesn’t hassle me.

“What do I hope for on this world? I hope for 100 extra fights. I hope for consistency. I hope for a run. I’ve had this on, off, on, off for the final whereas. I simply wish to get this good consistency going. And I’m hoping now after I come again that is the place it’s at.”