Conor McGregor insists that he's making a triumphant comeback to the octagon for UFC 296 in December, with Michael Chandler slated as his adversary.
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Conor McGregor insists that he’s making a triumphant comeback to the octagon for UFC 296 in December, with Michael Chandler slated as his adversary. Despite the need for McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) to undergo the rigorous US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing, which mandates two consecutive clean tests within a six-month span prior to entering the cage, he remains steadfast in marking December 16th as the definitive date for his next bout.
Amidst the atmosphere of Saturday’s Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius boxing spectacle at The O2 in London, McGregor fervently reiterated his stance in an interview with talkSport. He candidly shared with esteemed combat sports journalist Gareth A. Davies that his upcoming bout in December is set against the backdrop of facing off against the opposing coach from “The Ultimate Fighter 31,” none other than Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC).
McGregor’s ambitious plans extend beyond this bout, as he envisions a future “BMF” title clash with Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) followed by a highly anticipated trilogy showdown with Nate Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) in the year 2024.
“Chandler next, December,” McGregor said. “And then Gaethje ‘BMF’ (title fight). And then we’ll do Nate trilogy.”
In recent times, McGregor has playfully hinted at the possibility of not facing Chandler immediately following their coaching roles on “The Ultimate Fighter 31.” However, UFC President Dana White has unequivocally reassured the global audience that the McGregor-Chandler matchup remains firmly on the agenda, and McGregor’s penchant for engaging in mind games with his potential adversary is well-known.
The Irishman affirmed this position when questioned regarding the current status of his impending bout against Chandler.
“Chandler (is next),” McGregor said. “I have to. I’ll just (smack) him. I’ll just grab him.”
McGregor’s absence from the competition dates back to July 2021, a memorable encounter that concluded with a fractured leg in the first round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, resulting in a TKO defeat.
