With a return bout yet to be cemented, Conor McGregor revealed that he wishes to fight twice this year.
Fans have been eagerly waiting for The Notorious to step into the Octagon since he broke his left tibia and fibula against Dustin Poirier in July of 2021. During an Instagram Q&A, McGregor reiterated the two big fights on his wish list as he gears up for a comeback.
While a return fight against No 5 lightweight Michael Chandler has been everything but confirmed, McGregor also mentioned wanting to close out his trilogy with Nate Diaz on Monday – the eighth anniversary of their first meeting.
‘I wish for [that Diaz fight] on Mexican Independence Day in the Sphere,’ McGregor wrote. ‘Chandler, June. Diaz, September. I have let this be known.’
Additionally, McGregor emphasized wanting to fight Chandler at UFC 303 during International Fight Week in June. On New Year’s Eve, McGregor posted a video announcing a supposed 185-lb bout against Iron Mike at the week’s culminating pay-per-view event.
Conor McGregor said that he wants to fight both Nate Diaz and Michael Chandler this year
McGregor held a Q&A on Instagram and expressed his desire to close out the trilogy with Diaz
Diaz and McGregor met twice in 2016, Diaz has since gone 2-2 before leaving the UFC in 2022
Chandler joined the UFC in 2021 and immediately made an impact in the lightweight division
However, the UFC is yet to confirm the bout.
McGregor and Chandler’s clash was foreshadowed with a season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023. The pair served as opposing coaches in the UFC’s reality show, seemingly to parade McGregor’s highly-anticipated return.
Unfortunately, the buzz surrounding the fight has turned into idleness in recent months.
“Still holding hope for June 29th,’ McGregor said. ‘Lack of action on it however is now causing lack of enthusiasm. I need a decision soon.
‘I am the most tested athlete under this new regime. Yet no date to fight. The game is a bit lackluster also at present, which isn’t helping. I hope these next few cards pop and I get a date. Eliminate distractions and begin real work towards it.”
McGregor and Chandler served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter in 2023
Diaz submitted McGregor in their first meeting and the Irishman won the rematch via decision
As the fight with Chandler struggles to reach the dotted line, the third bout with Diaz may be harder to produce. After winning the last fight on his UFC contract against Tony Ferguson in 2022, the Stockton native opted to explore options outside the organization.
Diaz’s last fight came in a boxing match against Jake Paul in April of 2023, which he lost via unanimous decision.
In 2016, Diaz shocked the MMA world by submitting McGregor in the second round after stepping in for Rafael Dos Anjos on short notice. Five months later, the rivals met again with McGregor emerging victorious in a five-round classic.
McGregor, a former two-division champion, currently holds a 22-6 record coming off back-to-back losses to Poirier.
