Conor McGregor next fight: What we know about his return and next opponent amid UFC 300 rumors

CONOR MCGREGOR is seemingly set to make his long-awaited return to the octagon next year.

The former two-division champion hasn’t set foot inside the cage since snapping his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier two-and-a-half years ago.

AP

Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in July 2021[/caption]

The Notorious is set to be welcomed back to the octagon by Michael ChandlerTWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMA

GETTY

MMA fans around the world are wondering when the Irishman will make his return[/caption]

But the Irishman is champing at the bit to get back to it after getting himself fighting fit thanks to a painstaking rehab.

MMA fans around the world are dying to know when the face of the sport will be back in action.

But the Dubliner’s fighting future – as it has been on numerous occasions down the years – is currently up in the air.

So with that in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to bring you what we know about The Notorious’ proposed return.

When is Conor McGregor fighting next?

The exact date for the Return of the Mac is currently unknown.

McGregor was expected to headline the final pay-per-view card of the year on December 16 but the UFC opted to push back his return to 2024.

The delaying of his return seemed to line up perfectly for a headline slot at UFC 300 on April 13.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

But the UFC brass seemingly have other ideas for their poster boy, with president and CEO Dana White recently pouring cold water on the prospect.

Who is Conor McGregor fighting?

For the best part of the year, it’s looked like former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will welcome McGregor back to the octagon.

The pair’s showdown was announced back in February when it was revealed they would be the rival coaches on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.

But doubts over Iron welcoming Mystic Mac back to the cage have continued to grow with each passing month.

There are theories aplenty that McGregor is holding out for a different opponent – with many believing a trilogy fight with long-time rival Nate Diaz is what he desires.

UFC bigwig White, however, insists Chandler will be McGregor’s assignment for his return.

What’s been recently said about Conor McGregor’s next fight?

McGregor recently launched a scathing X-rated attack on the promotion for apparently slow-balling his octagon return.

He told talkSPORT: “The lads in the UFC aren’t really talking, but the lads here [in Saudi Arabia] are talking Manny [Pacquiao].

“Give me something. I was supposed to be back in April, I was supposed to be back in December.”

“No one has ever been treated [the way I’m getting treated].

“For all the figures I’ve brought in this game, I sell more than all of them combined.

“I sell more than every one of them combined.

“No one in the history of the fight game has ever been treated the way I’ve been getting treated at the minute.

Conor McGregor recently launched a scathing attack on the UFC brassGETTY

“From what I came to what I bring. They should open the f***ing floodgates for me.”

In response to McGregor’s blistering rant, White said: “We talked tonight. I’m in Abu Dhabi, he’s in Dubai.

“We’re gonna figure something out. We’re talking.”

Chandler, meanwhile, recently told Jackass star Steve-O: “I think right now he’s trying to wait me out.

“I mean, because if you were him, would you want to wait as long as possible for the guy like me, who’s a real fighter?

“Who wants to be in there, who wants to compete so that I say, ‘Screw it, I’m going to go fight someone else.’

“And then he can go fight an easier fight, Nate Diaz. He can go fight an easier fight, Tony Ferguson.

“He can go find a much easier fight than fighting me.”

UFC

Michae Chandler believes Conor McGregor is trying to wait him out[/caption]