Conor McGregor’s much-anticipated UFC return received a boost with the Notorious One suggesting his next fight is now scheduled after his bout with Michael Chandler fell through earlier in the year
Conor McGregor has claimed a date has finally been pencilled in for his sensational UFC return and confirmed his opponent.
The ‘Notorious’ had long been expected to fight Michael Chandler in his comeback to the organisation, but pulled out of his UFC 303 clash with a broken toe. Such as the wait has been, the ex-Bellator champion gave up on facing McGregor and now fights Charles Oliveira in November.
Former featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor last fought for the promotion in 2021 where he lost to Dustin Poirier. The fight ended in an unsatisfactory manner for many as the Irishman broke his leg to bring an early end to proceedings.
After three years of recovery and negotiation, McGregor’s return may finally be in place. Fans will have to wait until next year however.
Speaking to Blody Elbow at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s event in Marbella, McGregor suggested he was scheduled to fight Dan Hooker in Saudi Arabia. In a brief exchange the BKFC shareholder retorted: “February 1, Saudi Arabia.” Adding: “Dan Hooker” when asked his opponent.
Kiwi fighter Hooker is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in his career and has won his last three fights against Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. The dangerous striker is well-known for producing entertaining action on the feet during his 10 years in the UFC.
The news arrives after a stunning rant from McGregor earlier this week. The Irish megastore suggested his focus wasn’t only on a return to mixed martial arts when outlining his potential fights for the future.
A second fight against Floyd Mayweather appears to still be on McGregor’s mind. The UFC star fought the legendary boxer in 2017 with Mayweather earning a 10th-round knockout.
“Floyd, you little pussycat! You’re doing back conversations trying to get boxing fights at 155lbs,” McGregor said. “Fight me at my weight! I’m the A-side [and] you owe me! Bare-knuckle – McGregor vs Mayweather [at] 170lbs, let’s go, baby – take off the gloves and fight b****!
“It’s happening, I’m trapping him in the corner, we have you trapped in the corner.”
McGregor also called out Nate Diaz in a bid to complete their trilogy. “It has to be in MMA, mixed martial arts in the UFC; we are 1-1, we do MMA with Nate,” he added.
The 36-year-old is also interested in a boxing bout with KSI. In an interview with Misfits Boxing, which KSI is the CEO of, McGregor called out the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
“Let’s go, man. I’ll fight him for that bull**** song he released alone,” the fighter retorted to the propsition.