Conor McGregor has insisted that his return to the UFC will come in 2025 and made one huge demand to go with it.
The Notorious’ much-anticipated octagon comeback against Michael Chandler in June was scuppered after he broke a toe in his left foot in training.
A former two-weight UFC champion, McGregor last fought in July 2021, losing to Dustin Poirier in his trilogy bout at UFC 264 and suffering a broken leg.
McGregor, 36, originally targeted a date in December for his first showdown back but UFC CEO Dana White has revealed the Irishman will not fight until early 2025.
Now, ahead of Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title fight against Daniel Dubois, McGregor has demanded that he gets two fights next year.
Conor McGregor has insisted that his return to the UFC will come in 2025 and made one huge demand to go with it
McGregor last fought in July 2021 and a comeback this year was derailed due to an injury
Speaking to DAZN, McGregor said: ‘It will be 2025. We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled… it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on.
‘My job is to go to the gym and be in shape. Whenever it is and wherever it is. I will be 100 per cent ready. I must get two fights in 2025. It’s the promised land.
‘Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It does not matter. Whoever, let’s see. I like it to be Chandler. I wish him well and see where it goes.’
McGregor, during his time away from the octagon, has been tipped for a foray into cross-over boxing and the MMA star refused to close the door on that venture.
‘I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. What happens afterwards, as I’m a free agent, I’m not sure,’ he added.
McGregor had been tipped to face Michael Chandler but, last week, the American accepted a rematch with former champion Charles Oliveira.
Michael Chandler was tipped to face McGregor but has accepted a fight with Charles Oliveira
Dana White said McGregor, UFC’s poster boy, would fight in early 2025 and not in December
In an interview with Spinnin Backfist, UFC president Dana White revealed that McGregor will no longer fight Iron Mike when his highly-anticipated return bout happens.
‘Chandler said ‘I’m done waiting, I wanna fight,” White said in the interview.
McGregor stepped up his preparations for his comeback and recently shared footage of his first sparring session back.
