Conor McGregor kicked off the new year by reflecting on his last UFC win, which occurred nearly six years ago. The Irish fighter has been absent from the octagon since summer 2021 due to a severe foot fracture sustained against Dustin Poirier, which forced him to take an indefinite break. That defeat marked his second consecutive loss, coming after a year-long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that stalled his return to fighting.
McGregor is slated to make his comeback at the UFC White House event this June, with Michael Chandler expected to be his opponent. By the time of this fight, it will have been more than six years since McGregor’s victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
On New Year’s Eve 2023, McGregor announced his planned fight with Chandler for International Fight Week 2024, but this bout was canceled due to a broken toe and was never rescheduled. While openly eager to fight at the White House, McGregor has since become more cautious about making public announcements. In a December interview with Bloody Elbow, he mentioned that serious negotiations were expected to begin in February.
Instead of focusing on his upcoming return, McGregor chose to look back on his last UFC victory—his dominant 40-second win over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on January 18th at the T-Mobile Arena. He encouraged fans to rewatch the fight by sharing a playful message just after midnight Irish time, celebrating the moment of his triumph.
Meanwhile, Michael Chandler has been more publicly engaged, appearing at a New Year’s celebration with UFC’s new broadcast partner, CBS, and hinting at a potential showdown with McGregor. Chandler confidently predicted a big year ahead and expressed optimism about facing McGregor, anticipating a memorable fight “on the South Lawn of the White House” this summer.
Fan Take: This highly anticipated matchup between McGregor and Chandler is a pivotal moment for UFC, as it marks McGregor’s long-awaited return and could reignite excitement among fans globally. If the fight delivers as hoped, it could significantly impact the sport’s popularity and showcase the enduring appeal of star power in MMA.
