CONNOR MCGregor is set for a massive comeback in 2024 as the historic UFC 300 card approaches.
But when is The Notorious’ next fight and who is he facing?
TwitterConor McGregor and Michael Chandler square up on The Ultimate Fighter in July 2023[/caption]
When is Conor McGregor’s next fight?
Conor McGregor has to complete six months of clean testing before he is eligible to return to the sport.
The timing means the mouth-watering prospect of The Norotrious headlining UFC 300 — but his coach John Kavanagh refused to confirm whether that is the plan.
Kavanagh told talkSPORT: “He’s training very regular now, he’s very committed.
“We have no date set yet, but within the first half of next year he’ll definitely have his comeback.”
UFC 300 — which is also yet to confirm a date or venue — has been touted as the perfect card for Connor’s comeback.
But Kavanagh knows the former two-weight champion would make his comeback on the next available slot if possible.
He said: “Conor just wants to fight.
“If you offered him a fight this Saturday, he’d take it. If it’s UFC 300, great!
“We just wanna get back in there, get busy, and hopefully get a few fights together.”
Who will Conor McGregor fight next?
McGregor, 35, is set to return against Michael Chandler, 37, after the pair coached on reality series The Ultimate Fighter.
He was expected to face Chandler in December 2023, but that date was derailed due to drug-testing rules.
The Irishman’s absence from the USADA testing pool — which he must be in for a minimum of six months before returning to competition — has delayed their clash to 2024 at the earliest.
And UFC legend Daniel Cormier predicted the blockbuster bout will land on the historic UFC 300 card.
He said on his ESPN show: “UFC 100 had Brock [Lesnar], right? With Georges St-Pierre and all those guys.
“UFC 200 had Brock, it was supposed to me and [Jon] Jones also but it ended up being me, Anderson Silva, Brock, all these guys, big names.
“UFC 300 has to have a name like that. We don’t have Brock Lesnar anymore.
“So, I think you have to have a Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler. I think Michael Chandler gets his shot now, in the main event.
“Boy, Michael Chandler will headline UFC 300, how crazy is that?”
During an appearance on The MMA Hour Chandler said: “My heart of hearts says the biggest fight we’ve seen in a very long time has to go down on the biggest card that the UFC is going to put together since UFC 200, since UFC 100.
“My heart of hearts, my gut says we might be waiting until UFC 300.
“Good thing I’ve got a lot of things to keep my busy, and I get an opportunity to train for Conor for a very long time.
“I’m ready to fight in January, February, March, April, May, whatever.
“Obviously, it makes a lot of sense that there’s a very historic card coming up with the UFC.
“I haven’t been told that’s when it’s going to be, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s when it is.”
He added: “And if it is, I’ve got more and more time to prepare.
“I’ve never had this much time to prepare for one certain guy, one certain opponent.
“Me and my team, we’re going to put together a game plan and knock this dude out in the first round or two.”
What is Conor McGregor’s UFC record?
McGregor competes in the UFC’s lightweight division.
He has an impressive record of 22 wins, 6 losses and 0 draws.
He has won 19 of his fights by knockout.
How did Conor McGregor break his leg?
McGregor suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier during his last fight in July 2021.
The Irishman was beaten by rival Poirier in their third bout at UFC 264 in Las Vegas.
Connor suffered a broken tibia in his lower left leg and was carried out of the octagon on a stretcher.
When the American took McGregor down, he reacted by attempting a guillotine choke.
But after failing to lock in the hold, Poirier began to reign down with some brutal ground and pound.
When the fighters stood up, McGregor’s attempted kick backfired as he came down on his shin, which gruesomely gave way, forcing him to fall down and ending the contest.