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Conor McGregor has given a huge update on his much-anticipated return to the UFC, suggesting that an announcement will be made soon. The Irish fighter hasn't stepped inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier two years ago. McGregor is set to face off against former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, although an official date for their bout has yet to be revealed.
Delays and Frustration
American fans of MMA are growing increasingly frustrated by the delay in finalizing the fight date. McGregor's absence from the United States Anti-Doping Agency's testing pool has been a major factor contributing to the holdup. According to UFC and USADA policy, fighters who are re-entering the pool must undergo a minimum of six months of drug testing before they can compete. However, exemptions to this rule can be made in exceptional circumstances.
A Promise to Fans
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, McGregor has promised his fans that the fight is coming. In a recent tweet, he shared a video of himself training and wrote, "I'll start recording my work again to share with you all while we get this next fight on and set. It's coming, I promise. All my real fans, the fans of the real fighter, it's coming, I promise!"
McGregor vs. Chandler or McGregor vs. Gaethje?
While the fight with Chandler was officially announced earlier this year, McGregor has recently cast doubt on whether it will happen. He has hinted at a potential grudge match with long-time rival Justin Gaethje. However, UFC president Dana White has confirmed that McGregor will indeed be facing Chandler. White said, "Yes, he's fighting Chandler. I talked to Conor, either yesterday or the day before. And yeah, he's ready to fight. I said, 'Listen, get in shape and let's figure this out.'"
Chandler Confident in the Fight
Despite the uncertainty, Michael Chandler remains confident that he will eventually face McGregor in the octagon. He believes the fight makes too much sense not to happen and that he is still the most entertaining fighter on the roster. Chandler stated, "Everyone wants to see the greatest comeback in combat sports history, so I think it's going to be me and Conor. That's it."
