After a long wait, Conor McGregor finally shared the details of his next fight. According to the Irish fighter, he will face Michael Chandler in UFC’s International Fight Week on June 29 in Las Vegas, saying the bout will be in middleweight.
McGregor’s announcement shared the details in a recent video posted on X, following his promise to share it on New Year’s Day.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 31, 2023
“Ladies and gentlemen, Happy New Year to you all,” McGregor said. “I’d like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor. The greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29, and the opponent, Michael Chandler. And the weight Mr. Chandler, 185 pounds.”
The news follows UFC CEO Dana White’s revelation that the promotion and McGregor were in talks to “get something figured out soon.” Prior to this, the Irish fighter lambasted the company for the long delay of his return, saying his “patience is wearing thin” and urging the UFC to get him back in the octagon.
Chandler also added to the pressure but focused on criticizing the opponent, accusing McGregor of avoiding him in the fight. In the video, however, the former featherweight and lightweight champ appears more than willing to enter the cage, teasing the lightweight fighter that the bout will be at 185.
I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best. 185 would look good on me.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 31, 2023
Meanwhile, Chandler responded to the announcement with a positive attitude. “I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best,” the fighter commented. “One-hundred eighty-five would look good on me.”
While the two are positive about taking the bout at 185, some analysts don’t think the division is the right one for McGregor. Last month, Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith explained that the Irish would be “small” in the weight class.
“He’s not gonna fight at 185, he’s far too small,” Bisping said in a Believe You Me podcast episode. “Just because he’s all bulked up, on the good stuff…doesn’t mean he can fight at 185.”
Smith echoed the idea while underscoring that it is not an issue about the fighter’s skill.
“Conor’s not fighting at 185…let’s not forget, Alex Pereira fought at 185,” Smith explained. “[Georges St-Pierre], that guy is huge…if you fight at 145, you’re gonna have a tough time at 185. That’s not me talking s***, Conor, calm down. Not saying anything about your skillset…I think you’re fantastic, just a little small for 185.”
