Conor McGregor lays out three-fight UFC return plan: Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Nate Diaz

Conor McGregor claims he’s absolutely returning to the octagon at UFC 296 in December, and Michael Chandler will be the opponent.

Although all signs point to McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) having to first re-enter the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing program, which requires two clean tests over six months, before stepping in the cage, he continues to label Dec. 16 as the timeline for his next fight.

He doubled down on that notion during an interview with talkSport during Saturday’s Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius boxing event at The O2 in London and told longtime combat sports reporter Gareth A. Davies that he will face opposing “The Ultimate Fighter 31” coach Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in December, before turning his attention to a “BMF” title fight with Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) in 2024.

“Chandler next, December,” McGregor said. “And then Gaethje ‘BMF’ (title fight). And then we’ll do Nate trilogy.”

“When am I back? December.”

“Chandler next. I have to fight him. Then it’s Gaethje & then the Nate trilogy…”

UFC legend @TheNotoriousMMA maps out his next few fights to @GarethADaviesDT pic.twitter.com/SrwIz1mU6r

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 12, 2023

McGregor recently has teased he actually might not fight Chandler next after their “TUF 31” coaching gig. However, UFC president Dana White assured the world that’s still the plan and McGregor just likes to play mind games with his potential opponent.

The Irishman confirmed as much when asked about the status of fighting Chandler.

“Chandler (is next),” McGregor said. “I have to. I’ll just (smack) him. I’ll just grab him.”

McGregor has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in a first-round TKO defeat to Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout.