The long-awaited Conor McGregor next fight news has arrived, and after years away from the sport, the Irish superstar is expected to step back into the Octagon in June and take on fellow lightweight star and Ultimate Fighter coach Michael Chandler.
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After three years away from the MMA games and months of speculation, McGregor is expected to return to action this year. On New Year’s Eve, he took to his social media accounts and claimed he would return to headline a card against Chandler — the man he has been booked to face since 2023 — in July and at middleweight.
However, a return in the summer seemed less likely after UFC boss Dana White said he was targeting a fight date later this year. Well, in April following UFC 300, White confirmed McGregor would face Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 in June.
Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler is a bout fight fans around the world had hoped to see for some time. Despite the fight being pushed back for a year as McGregor avoided getting into the USADA testing pool, it is a matchup well worth the wait.
Clash of Styles: Each man has become hugely popular off their fight-finishing abilities. However, both get it done in very different ways. While they are both gifted strikers, McGregor is an elite-level counter-puncher with serious power and strong accuracy. On the other hand, Chandler is explosive and powerful but is also very durable and can take a lot of damage so he can deal out some of his own.
Middleweight?: As of now, the fight is expected to take place at 185 pounds. It’s quite odd that a pair of fighters who have made legendary careers by fighting at lightweight to compete at a weight class 30 pounds above it. However, “Notorious” may be looking to make history by winning inside the Octagon at four different weights.
Nevertheless, for a competitor who has been known for having cardio issues, it could hurt him on fight night to be battling with so much extra muscle on his body.
The bottom line: The matchup is a fight that fans have wanted to see and it would be downright shocking if it did not end with a destructive finish from either man.
Conor McGregor has been out of action for nearly two and a half years. The last time the former two-division champion competed was in July of 2021 when he suffered a second straight loss to long-time rival Dustin Poirier. In the bout, he suffered fractures to his leg that required surgery soon after the loss.
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While McGregor has many victories, he actually has suffered half a dozen defeats during his legendary career. Only five men have been able to beat the Irishman in his 28 fights, and they include former interim champion Poirier (twice), and lightweight great Khabib Nurmagomedov.
A one-of-a-kind talent: McGregor has become an icon of fight sports through his uncanny ability to promote fights and his outstanding skills inside the cage. It has helped him cultivate a massive fanbase that shows up each time he competes. He may not be the best MMA fighter of all time but he is certainly the most famous.
McGregor was one of the stars of the Amazon Prime Video film “Roadhouse.” In the movie, the Irishman plays the antagonist Knox. The UFC star reported made $5.5 million for his part in the motion picture.
In being the most famous cage fighter in MMA history, “Notorious” has stacked up a lot of green during his career. However, he has also used his money and notoriety smartly to add to his worth and that showed when he made millions off selling the Irish whiskey brand he co-founded Proper 12.
Heading into 2023, Conor McGregor’s current net worth is estimated to be nearly $200 million.