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McGregor to return to the octagon

12:32 pm on 1 January 2024

Conor McGregor Photo: INPHO

Ireland's Conor McGregor says he will make his UFC return against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas on 29 June.

Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor has not fought since breaking a leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

In a video on social media, 35-year-old McGregor said it would be the "greatest comeback of all time".

He said the fight will be at middleweight, which neither he nor Chandler has fought at.

The UFC has not commented on McGregor's announcement.

"Ladies and gentleman, a Happy New Year to you all. I would like to announce the return date for myself," said McGregor.

"The Notorious Conor McGregor. For the greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29th. The opponent, Michael Chandler. The weight, Mr Chandler. 185lb."

Chandler responded by saying: "I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best. 185 would look good on me."

McGregor and American Chandler were coaches on the UFC's reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter this year.

Traditionally, the coaches fight each other, but the bout was delayed after it emerged McGregor was not part of the United States Anti-Doping Agency's (Usada) testing pool.

McGregor returned to the pool in October, but the UFC has since said it is ending its partnership with Usada to launch a new anti-doping programme.

Chandler also lost to Poirier in his most recent fight, beaten by third-round submission in New York in November 2022.

This story first appeared on the BBC