Conor McGregor will make his return to the octagon to face Michael Chandler, the UFC has announced.
The as-yet unscheduled fight will happen after the pair join the next season of The Ultimate Fighter as coaches.
McGregor will be joined by former Bellator Lightweight Champion Chandler, 36, on ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs Team Chandler’. The show premieres on ESPN and ESPN+ on May 30th.
NOW THIS is how you start a Saturday!! @DanaWhite confirms @TheNotoriousMMA vs @MikeChandlerMMA for #TUF31 AND that #UFC287 is headed to Miami! ☀️ pic.twitter.com/TByEq2D2bJ
— UFC (@ufc) February 4, 2023
Chandler debuted in the UFC in January 2021 with a first-round knockout of Dan Hooker.
McGregor has not fought since July 11th, 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier by TKO in a first-round stoppage.
The 34-year-old has maintained a high profile in the past two years, mostly due to legal issues. These include an arrest for dangerous driving, ongoing civil proceedings related to allegations of sexual assault, and civil action brought by former stablemate Artem Lobov related to the Proper Twelve whiskey brand.
Most recently, it emerged that McGregor was facing accusations of attacking a woman on a yacht last summer.
