UFC star Conor McGregor is preparing to make his return to action later this year against Michael Chandler, and has spoken out about the fight for the first time.
McGregor has been on the shelf since July of 2021, when he broke his leg in the rubber match of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier. It seems that leg is doing much better these days, at least according to McGregor himself.
“I’m looking forward to it,” McGregor told the U.K.’s Daily Mirror about the match-up, speaking outside Dublin, Ireland’s the Black Forge Inn, which McGregor owns. “I’m looking forward to it. I feel good, feel energetic, feel ready. I’m throwing up my high kicks faster than I’m throwing up my jab, so I’m very excited to get back.”
McGregor was on hand for a meeting with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. The mixed martial artist previously stated he’d be willing to pony up the cash to ensure Irish boxer Katie Taylor’s rematch with Amanda Serrano takes place at Croke Park.
The financial hurdle is believed to be the only obstacle in hosting the event at the massive outdoor venue.
As for McGregor’s own fighting career, he’s set to coach opposite Chandler on the upcoming 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter. No date for the coaches’ fight has been set, and it’s unclear whether McGregor has returned to the USADA testing pool — however, a search of the anti-doping organization’s testing database shows he has yet to have submitted any samples in 2023.
McGregor was not tested at all in 2022, leading UFC President Dana White to reveal that the fighter was no longer in the testing pool. No reason has been given for McGregor’s absence, leading to speculation that he may have quietly retired while rehabbing his leg.
UFC athletes returning to the pool are required to undergo six months of drug testing prior to competing. However, USADA officials previously confirmed to Cageside Press that the option to waive that window, which was done in the cases of Brock Lesnar and Miesha Tate previously, is at the discretion of the promotion.
Were the six month period enforced, McGregor would be able to compete in mid to late August at the earliest, assuming he entered the pool now. The Ultimate Fighter 31 is expected to air over the summer.
