Michael Chandler preparing for June 29 date vs. Conor McGregor: 'Buckle up boys and girls'
One of the most anticipated matchups on the UFC’s radar appears to finally be coming together with Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor acknowledging a fight date.
On New Year’s Eve, McGregor posted a video to social media in which he stated his return to the octagon will take place against Chandler in a middleweight bout at International Fight Week on June 29 in Las Vegas.
Although the promotion has yet to officially confirm the booking, Chandler is preparing for the date. “In camp…woke up feeling dangerous,” Chandler wrote on X.
On Instagram, Chandler posted a photo from his walkout at UFC 281 with a caption beginning with the date of June 29, 2024, followed by a few words.
“Patience that produced impending pandemonium,” Chandler wrote. “Buckle up boys and girls. Walk on. See you at the top!”
Chandler has waited for the matchup since coaching opposite McGregor on “The Ultimate Fighter 31.” He was last in action at UFC 281 in November 2022, where was submitted by Dustin Poirier. Coincidentally, Poirier was McGregor’s last opponent as well, but the Irishman has been sidelined due to a broken leg suffered in their trilogy bout at UFC 264 in July 2021.
After the filming of TUF, McGregor has teased a return on various occasions, while also taunting Chandler, who began to think the former two-division champion would never fight again.
Oddsmakers have already opened betting lines on the fight, placing McGregor as a slight favorite at -120 over Chandler.