The New Year is already shaping up to be a thriller for fans of the fight game.
UFC icon Conor McGregor has announced he will make his return against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas on June 29.
The ‘Notorious’ hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Speaking on social media while cooly swirling a glass of red wine, McGregor said: “Ladies and gentlemen, happy New Year to you all.
“I’d like to announce the return date for myself, the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor. The greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29.
“The opponent, Michael Chandler. The weight, Mr Chandler. 185lb.”
Chandler responded by saying: “I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best. 185 would look good on me.”
McGregor and Chandler were coaches on the UFC’s reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter this year.
The pair were meant to fight, as is customary, but the bout fizzled out after it emerged the Irishman wasn’t part of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) testing pool.
McGregor returned to the pool in October, but Dana White’s organisation has since announced it’s ending its affiliation with USADA to start a new anti-doping programme.
With a record of 23-8, Chandler faced a submission loss to Poirier in November 2022, part of the undercard for Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira.
