Conor McGregor claims Michael Chandler fight could have shocking stipulation, it's not happened for 10 years

Conor McGregor has claimed that he will accept a UFC fight stipulation he hasn't taken part in for 10 years upon his eagerly-anticipated return to the Octagon.

The Irishman hasn't stepped inside the Octagon since July 2021, when he suffered a broken tibia in the first round of his rematch fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

Speaking to ESPN's Marc Raimondi earlier this week, McGregor revealed that he had received a call from UFC president Dana White over a potential return this summer.

In his absence from mixed martial arts, the 35-year-old took a lead role in the new film 'Road House', which also stars Jake Gyllenhaal and releases on March 22.

Ahead of the film's release, McGregor spoke to combat sports expert Ariel Helwani on the latest edition of 'The MMA Hour' - and made one surprising admission about his anticipated UFC comeback.

'Notorious' confirmed that he is as motivated as ever to return to the Octagon - and even has his eye on competing in two fights before 2024 comes to an end.

He also admitted that he is open to going back to an old stipulation that he hasn't been involved in for 10 years for his comeback fight - which appears likely to be against Michael Chandler.

He said: "Rounds. Maybe I might say to them, 'Look lads, I'm only doing to do three rounds for this one'.

"I want to just wet my beak. I can do thre rounds really nicely now. Rather than pushing through to get to five.

"I feel as if I push right now to get to give full fitness rounds, I feel the first three rounds wouldn't be as sharp as I could get them.

"I'd rather sharpen the blade of three and go in nice and sharp. Get the feel, get the fight.

"Chandler is going to come for it, he's going to come at me. That's his style.

"I think three is a lovely one. And then the five. I do think three and five. That's how I feel. This is just my own thoughts, I've not said this to anyone yet. It's a go now, so I'm thinking now.

"Okay, weight? Okay, rounds? It would be interesting to see what they [UFC] say about that, it could be first of the night. I don't care. That's where I am at with it."