It appears Conor McGregor’s return has been finalized – at least according to him.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) previously announced that he will return June 29 on International Fight Week, but the UFC has never acknowledged that. Just earlier this week, McGregor vented his frustration on the lack of communication with the UFC, but just two days later he changed his tune.
“We got confirmation a few days ago that it’s all systems go,” McGregor told ESPN on Tuesday. “‘The Mac,’ ‘The Notorious’ will be returning to the UFC octagon this summer.”
His opponent, Michael Chandler, has been equally as impatient, but McGregor assures the fight is on.
“Shut up, Michael, you f*cking imbecile,” McGregor said. “The man doesn’t shut up. I seen him on ‘Raw.’ I like Mike, I’m going to bust him up. I’m going to bust Mike up, yeah. If I say it, I do it. If I say it, it gets done – end of. Put that on my stone. So, Chandler in the summer. Weight? I was having a bit of a laugh at the 185. I haven’t checked the scales since the last time I weighed in at the UFC event, which is a fair bit of time ago.
“I’ll have a chat and see where I’m at. But I got great news. It’s all systems go. Thumbs up, thumbs up. Got the call. Everything’s sweet. I had my camp in Dubai, I had a camp in Cannes. I was preparing, and then I was kind of getting nothing back. And then other things came up, so I kind of dipped out. But now it’s on. So, there’s no messing now. I cannot dip out now.”
McGregor is in the final leg of promoting the release of his movie “Road House,” which premieres Thursday on Prime Video. While McGregor has hashed things out with the UFC on his return fight vs. Chandler, he’s yet to discuss his contract, which has two fights remaining.
“Do we sign a new deal?” McGregor said. “Do I go? Am I a free agent? I love the UFC dearly. My heart is in the UFC, my catalog, my life. I love everyone in the company and all the fighters and all the events and all the shows and cards. I wish to continue this. How that looks, I have no clue.”
Conor McGregor says ‘it’s all systems go’ for UFC fight vs. Michael Chandler this summer