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Conor Mcgregor has tried to ease fans' fear that his days as a fighter are over. In a recent sitdown with ESPN MMA, the Irishman spoke about his plans to return by the end of the year against his expected octagon foe, Michael Chandler. The pair have been linked since 2023, having filmed 'The Ultimate Fighter 31.'
On Thursday, McGregor again assured the MMA world that he will indeed make his UFC return in 2024, and that it will be against Chandler. Furthermore, he expressed excitement over fighting again for the first time in three years.
"My comeback is scheduled for the year, sometime the end of this year, closing out the show. So, I was close to returning, we had an incident and had a postponement had to happen and, you know, it is what it is. We take it on the chin, we rock on. The fight is rescheduled for the end of this calendar year, so I'm excited about that and eager to get back."
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McGregor was scheduled to return at UFC 303 against Chandler, but was forced to pull out of the main event after fracturing his toe during training a week before the fight. This led to a polarizing reaction from the MMA world, with some of McGregor's roster-mates criticizing him, while others supported him.
Nevertheless, 'The Notorious' is confident in his chances of still fighting in 2024, and there are few people more eager for that than Chandler and, naturally, UFC CEO Dana White.
Conor McGregor hasn't fought in three years
Conor McGregor last fought in the UFC at UFC 264, where he faced Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout that ended with a career-threatening injury for the former. 'The Notorious' snapped his lower shin, which many believed spelled the end of his career. That incident took place on July 10, 2021.
While he hasn't fought in some time, the Irishman has kept himself busy, expanding his business empire in various ways, including becoming a part-owner of BKFC, which he claims he will one day compete in.
