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When is Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler? Potential date, venue and latest news for UFC return

Jonathan Gorrie
·2-min read
When is Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler? Potential date, venue and latest news for UFC return

Conor McGregor will make his long-awaited return to the UFC later this year.

Not since July 2021 has the Irishman entered the octagon but the promotion have confirmed McGregor will meet former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler in a huge comeback fight.

Both fighters will work as coaches, pitting teams against each other in The Ultimate Fighter season 31, before a money-spinning fight later in the year.

April will mark a decade of McGregor as a UFC fighter but the 34-year-old has not fought in almost two years, the second-longest hiatus he has taken.

Chandler, meanwhile, has won only two of his five fights in UFC so far and is coming off the back of a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281.

Given where both fighters are in their respective careers, it is a huge fight and the interest McGregor’s return to the octagon drives is obvious.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is McGregor vs Chandler?

There has been no official date set yet, although September looks like the earliest possible opening in the calendar.

Season 31 of the Ultimate Fighter begins in May and both fighters will be out of camp to film the show, meaning their preparation can only start in the summer at the earliest.

Chandler is coming off a loss but will provide huge opposition for McGregor upon his return (Getty Images)
Chandler is coming off a loss but will provide huge opposition for McGregor upon his return (Getty Images)

Where is McGregor vs Chandler?

Seven of McGregor’s nine PPV bouts have taken place in Las Vegas, Nevada. With that in mind, it seems reasonable to assume the fight will be held inside the T-Mobile Arena.

Madison Square Garden is another option, while McGregor has also previously fought in Abu Dhabi.

What has Dana White said about McGregor vs Chandler?

The UFC president said: “I think that’s the fight that people want to see right now.

“I think that’s an exciting fight. The fact that this season is on ESPN. If you think about ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and how long, it’s been around. It started on Spike, we had a run on FOX and now its going to be on ESPN the network.

“It’s exciting, fun and a massive opportunity for the contestants on the show. It’s a big deal. This is a big season, it’s a big deal.”