Featured Image Credit: Sports Illustrated & Michael Chandler/YouTube
Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC, Michael Chandler, MMA, Dana White
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC, Michael Chandler, MMA, Dana White
Michael Chandler has issued an update on his potential fight with Conor McGregor amid concerns for the former two-weight UFC champion.
McGregor, 35, has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021 but is expected to make his long-awaited return to the octagon this summer.
The Irishman claimed earlier this week that his UFC return is imminent.
"We got confirmation a few days ago that it's all systems go and the Mac, The Notorious will be returning in the UFC octagon this summer," McGregor told ESPN.
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However, those claims were refuted by UFC boss Dana White, who denied a date or even opponent for McGregor had been agreed.
Speaking on McGregor's promotional duties for the recently released film Road House, White told the Pound4Pound podcast: "He has obligations to promote this movie. He has been flying all over the world, going to all the premieres to promote this movie. This is an obligation that he has to do.
"He committed to this movie and has obligations. He can't do both. Once this movie launches, then he can get back in the gym and start training full-time."
White added: "He needed this time to handle his obligations and now get back into full-time training. Which means, from Thursday on – we can start talking about fights for Conor."
Fans have voiced concerns over whether McGregor is ready to step back into the octagon after a worrying clip of him circulated on social media this week.
During an interview with Sports Illustrated to promote Road House, McGregor appeared tired and uncomfortable, at times shrugging his shoulders.
Despite those concerns, Chandler insists his fight with McGregor will take place this summer.
"I've got the official announcement. It's happening this summer. I can't tell you the actual date, but it's happening this summer, yes," Chandler told TMZ.
"Me vs. Conor. Obviously, this has been a year in the making. We did The Ultimate Fighter, he's been off obviously doing the Road House movie and all his other aspirations and accolades outside of the cage, so here we are, this summer, I'm ready.
"The official status is we have an agreement. We are fighting this summer. We’ll let the court of public opinion speculate on what the date is, but it’s definitely this summer.
"We're giving you a window that we're going to be fighting in. But yeah, it's always been Conor and I."