Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the UFC has finally been scheduled.
The former dual-weight champion is set to take on Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29, as confirmed by UFC president Dana White following UFC 300 on Saturday. This will mark McGregor’s first Octagon appearance since his defeat to Dustin Poirier in June 2021.
The bout is scheduled to take place in the welterweight division (170 pounds).
Chandler expressed his excitement about the upcoming fight.
Despite his extended hiatus, McGregor remains one of the biggest draws in MMA. Following his loss to Poirier, McGregor suffered a broken tibia, marking his third loss in four fights. His recovery process was lengthy, and the timeline for his return remained uncertain.
McGregor’s return to competition was hinted at during his coaching stint on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” alongside Chandler in 2023. However, several months passed without a confirmed fight date. McGregor’s entry into the mandatory USADA testing pool was delayed, leading to a contentious situation with the UFC.
During his time away from the Octagon, McGregor pursued various endeavors such as starring in the film “Road House” alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and promoting his whiskey brand.
McGregor had indicated his intention to fight in June as early as December, but it took some time for the UFC to finalize the details.
Islam Makhachev to defend UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier
In related news, White also announced that Poirier will challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Poirier has faced defeat in two previous lightweight title fights, falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019 and Charles Oliveira in 2021. Despite a loss to Justin Gaethje in July 2023, Poirier bounced back with a victory over Benoît Saint Denis last month, earning him a shot at the current pound-for-pound king in Makhachev.
White revealed that the co-main event of UFC 302 will feature a five-round battle between former middleweight champion Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.
Saturday’s UFC event showcased remarkable performances, including Max Holloway’s spectacular knockout and Alex Pereira’s first-round victory over Jamahal Hill. White expressed his excitement for the upcoming high-profile fights in the UFC.