Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg nearly three years agoCredit: AP

The Notorious will make his long-awaited octagon return at UFC 303Credit: GETTY

The Mac will be welcomed back to the octagon by fellow fan favourite Michael ChandlerCredit: GETTY

McGregor and Chandler, 35 and 37 respectively, were initially slated to throw down last December but the UFC ultimately decided to push their showdown into 2024.

And the rival Ultimate Fighter season 31 coaches are now on course to close out what will be an incredibly busy International Fight Week in the main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

Fan favourite McGregor will be looking to pick up his first win in over FOUR YEARS when the pair collide.

The Irishman’s last victory came back in January 2020 when he decimated Donald Cerrone in a mere 40 seconds in his first outing since a crushing 2018 defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

And he’ll be looking to use Chandler as a stepping stone to a shock title shot at either lightweight or welterweight.

Chandler will have the same idea in mind when he ends his 19-month-long hiatus from the cage.

Combat sports fans around the world are counting down the days until the Return of the Mac.

And SunSport is on hand with everything you need to know about the Irishman’s Sin City showdown with Chandler.

• UFC 303 will take place on June 29.
• The fight will be held at the 20,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
• The octagon walks are expected to take place at around 5:30am (BST) on June 30, although they could start sooner if there are a series of early finishes.
• The prelims will begin at 11:30 (BST) time.

• It hasn’t officially been announced, but McGregor’s comeback clash with Chandler is expected to be aired on TNT Sports Box Office.
• The Dubliner’s ill-fated series decider with Poirier was aired on BT Sports Box Office in July 2021 and cost £19.99 and €29.99.
• The early prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sports 2.
• You can stream the action from the TNT Sports Box Office app, which is available on your mobile, tablet and Smart TV.

UFC 303: McGregor vs Chandler fight card (as it stands)

• Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler – welterweight bout
• Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree – light-heavyweight bout
• Joe Pyfer vs Marc-Andre Barriault – middleweight bout
• Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs Gillian Robertson – strawweight bout
• Andre Fili vs. Cub Swanson – featherweight bout
• Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez – women’s flyweight bout

Conor McGregor hasn’t tasted victory in over four-and-a-half yearsCredit: Reuters