Conor McGregor will attempt to end his two-fight losing run when the two-time champion returns against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29, promotion president Dana White has announced.
Irishman McGregor has long been expected to face former Bellator MMA champion Chandler but has been out of action since suffering a broken leg in June 2021, during his second successive defeat to Dustin Poirier.
The bout will take place at welterweight and be held in Las Vegas, where McGregor became featherweight champion in 2015.
Now 35, he won the lightweight belt the following year but has lost three of his four subsequent contests.
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Chandler said the fight was “officially official”. “Thank you all for being on this journey with me,” he added on social media. “Time to get to work.”
McGregor remains the most marketable and best-known fighter in MMA, with White inevitably facing regular questions about his comeback date.
Conor McGregor v Michael Chandler: Date set
Chandler is two years McGregor’s senior and has a mixed record since joining the UFC, losing three of his five bouts.
The fighter known as ‘Iron’ knocked out Dan Hooker on his promotion debut in 2021 but was stopped by Charles Oliveira when he challenged for the lightweight crown.
He then lost a thriller by decision against Justin Gaethje and knocked out Tony Ferguson in impressive style at UFC 274.
The American has not fought since suffering a submission loss to Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.
McGregor and Chandler have been on a collision course because of their positions as rival coaches on the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality TV series.
After his fighters fell 6-0 behind in bouts against Chandler’s team, McGregor hurled insults at Chandler in an altercation which became physical before White stepped in.
