Conor McGregor to face Max Holloway after UFC reject Michael Chandler
Conor McGregor will make his long-awaited return to the UFC against Max Holloway in Las Vegas on 11 July after his preferred bout with Michael Chandler was turned down.
The 36-year-old has not competed in mixed martial arts since suffering a horrific leg break against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
He was originally scheduled to face Chandler last year, but that highly anticipated contest was cancelled after the Irishman broke his toe.
McGregor’s management team has now revealed that the former two-weight world champion desperately wanted to honour that commitment.
UFC rejected Chandler bout
Audie Attar, the fighter’s manager, explained that they pushed hard to rebook the Chandler matchup for this summer’s comeback.
“Conor really wanted to give [his comeback fight] to Michael Chandler,” Attar said.
“He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury and the cancellation of the bout.”
Despite their efforts, UFC executives decided against the pairing and booked Chandler against Mauricio Ruffy instead.
Holloway steps up to welterweight
With Chandler unavailable, attention turned to current ‘BMF’ champion Holloway, who previously lost a decision to McGregor at featherweight in 2013.
The Hawaiian agreed to step up to the 170lb welterweight limit to accommodate the Dubliner’s return.
“One of the things, obviously, with being out with the time Conor has been out for, it just made sense to do it at 170,” Attar added.
“Max was game right away and willing to step up and take the match-up at 170.”
‘The Mac is back’
The polarizing superstar insists he remains fully prepared for the octagon despite his lengthy spell of inactivity.
“My body’s fresh, my mind is sharp. I’m ready to come back,” McGregor stated.
“I’ve got a great opponent. I’ve got a great deal off the UFC. I’m very, very happy. They honored me, finally.”