Featured Image Credit: UFC
Topics: Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, UFC, Dana White
Nasir Jabbar
Conor McGregor will make his highly-anticipated UFC return against Michael Chandler, confirmed by Dana White.
McGregor and Chandler will also be opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31. They will face off in the famed Octagon at the end of the season.
The new season of TUF will air on May 30 to August 15, with McGregor vs. Chandler to take place on pay-per-view. No date or location has been confirmed for the event yet.
Chandler reacted to the blockbuster fight announcement with a photoshopped face-off with McGregor, accompanied with the caption: "Pumped is an understatement... See you at the top."
Advert
The 'Notorious' has previously coached on TUF, having been pitted against Urijah Faber on season 22, while it will be Chandler's first foray as a coach on the UFC reality television series.
It will be McGregor's first fight since his crushing defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in July 2021.
He hasn't won a UFC fight since his demolition of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in 2020.
Chandler, meanwhile, is also coming off a defeat to Poirier, suffering a submission in a 'Fight of the Night' outing at UFC 281.
The veteran American has enjoyed an explosive start to his UFC career after leaving Bellator as a free-agent.
He knocked out Dan Hooker on his UFC debut, which earned him a shot at UFC gold. However, he succumbed to then-lightweight king Charles Oliveira.
Chandler then had a thrilling battle with Justin Gaethje as he lost a decision. He bounced back with a devastating knockout over Tony Ferguson, most recently losing to Poirier.
The ex-Bellator lightweight champion has relentlessly called out the Irishman to a UFC showdown with White granting his wish, booking the clash for later this year.