Fans notice major Conor McGregor difference as training footage emerges ahead of UFC return

Fans have noticed a major difference in Conor McGregor as new training footage emerges ahead of his UFC return.

McGregor is closing in on his UFC comeback, having not fought since his defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in July 2021.

The 35-year-old had put on huge muscle mass as he recovered from his ankle break.

But he's sporting a slimmer look ahead of his summer return against Michael Chandler, who gave a major update on their Octagon meeting.

That's judging by a post of the Irishman on social media.

Johnny Walker shared a short video of himself with McGregor, with MMA fans on social media all making the same point about his physique.

One X user wrote: "Damn Conor looks slim."

A second tweeted: "Conor actually looks like a lightweight here and doesn't look like a blown up MW."

A third added: "Remember all the people who screamed Conor would never make 155 again? lol looks like he can make 155 in 2 days."

Another commented: "155 Conor back."

McGregor flirted with the idea of competing at middleweight for his UFC return, but he looks set to return to lightweight, where he has enjoyed great success.

He won the UFC championship at 155lbs following his flawless victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 back in November 2016.

The 'Notorious' will be looking for another big win at lightweight when he takes on Chandler, who confirmed their summer showdown.

"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."

McGregor, meanwhile, is on a two-fight losing skid following his back-to-back defeats to Poirier.

He hasn't won a UFC fight since his victory over Donald Cerrone back in January 2020.

Featured Image Credit: Johnny Walker/Getty

Topics: Conor McGregor, Fan Reactions, UFC

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar