Conor McGregor holds high aspirations for the upcoming chapter of his career.
The renowned former two-division UFC champion is poised to make his comeback in late 2023 against Michael Chandler, following their coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter 31. The show's filming has already concluded, and it is set to premiere on Tuesday night. McGregor's last fight took place in July 2021, resulting in a severe leg injury during his trilogy battle against Dustin Poirier. Nevertheless, McGregor is optimistic about the prospects of facing Chandler, finding the matchup to be favorable.

โNot only just a return โ the greatest return in combat sports,โ McGregor said inย a UFC-produced interview. โThis is going to be [that]. Iโm going to kick this guy in the head. Heโs just tailor-made for being kicked all over the place, and thatโs what Iโm aiming for. I am aiming to wrap this steel bar around the opponent. And youโre going to see a visual of the leg hanging off [atย UFC 264] and then youโre going to see a visual off a head hanging off. So Iโm excited for that and motivated for that, and steady making my way towards it.โ
Although an exact timeframe for McGregor's return has yet to be confirmed, UFC president Dana White recently disclosed that the promotion is aiming for a late November or December comeback. Following his leg injury, McGregor temporarily withdrew from the UFC's anti-doping program in conjunction with USADA. However, he must resume testing for six months before becoming eligible to compete again.
Michael Chandler, who made his debut in the UFC in 2021 after an illustrious career with Bellator, has encountered mixed success with a 2-3 record in his five appearances. Nonetheless, he has swiftly emerged as one of the most exhilarating fighters in the UFC's lightweight division. His intense bout against Justin Gaethje even earned MMA Fighting's prestigious Fight of the Year accolade for 2021.
โHeโs put on some exciting fights. Heโs eager. Heโs willing to fight. Heโs a gamer, youโd call him. And heโs not a bad fighter either, so Iโm happy with the opponent,โ McGregor said.
โI donโt actually care. I accepted this show, it was me and Chandler, so again it doesnโt bother me. What do I hope for in this world? I hope for 100 more fights. I hope for consistency. I hope for a run. Iโve had this on, off, on, off for the last while and I just want to get this nice consistency going. And Iโm now, when I come back, this is where itโs at.โ
Consistency has been a longstanding desire for McGregor throughout his career.

Since his triumph over Eddie Alvarez in 2016, which crowned him as a two-division champion, McGregor has competed in only four fights. Unfortunately, he has endured a meager 1-3 record during that period, with his sole victory occurring in a 2020 bout against Donald Cerrone. McGregor has taken multiple extended hiatuses since his encounter with Alvarez, but his upcoming return against Chandler will mark the lengthiest break he has experienced in his UFC tenure. The lack of consistency has worn on McGregor, and he is eager to put an end to it.
โOne [fight per year] is not [enough]. I need [more]. I want four โ three or four,โ McGregor said. โIf I can get where I need to get to, three or four a year is perfect. One is madness. And itโs been one, one, one on, one year off, one on, one year off, and then obviously with the leg thing itโs been a bit longer.โ
McGregor, 34, reiterated his interest in fighting at both lightweight and welterweight, but also mentioned a matchup against UFC featherweight championย Alexander Volkanovskiย โcould be a nice one at some stage.โ He and Volkanovski evenย traded barbsย over Twitterย on Tuesday regarding a potential matchup.
ย
Letโs do it at Lightweight ๐งจ https://t.co/NhWDOJRAyx
โ Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) May 30, 2023
ย
First up, though, isย TUF 31ย and Chandler โ as well as a late 2023 return that McGregor hopes marks the beginning of a more active chapter for his MMA career.
โWeโre not done yet,โ McGregor said. โWeโre not done yet, so by the time itโs done, I feel Iโll have a full circle and Iโll be where I want to be.โ