Conor McGregor is facing a formidable challenge as he prepares for his highly-anticipated comeback to the UFC, as he must undergo a significant weight reduction.
The MMA superstar will be welcomed back to the octagon by former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler after a second stint coaching The Ultimate Fighter.
Conor McGregor will return to the octagon later this year
The Notorious will be welcomed back to the octagon by Michael Chandler
McGregor will have to shed several pounds of muscle to make the lightweight limit
SunSport revealed the pair’s showdown – which is expected to take place in September at the earliest – was set to be a welterweight affair.
But UFC president Dana White has revealed the promotion are now hoping for it to be a lightweight clash – which would mean McGregor will have to shed close to 40lbs from his near 200lb frame.
When asked by Pat McAfee if the fight will be at 155lbs, he said: “Yeah.”
The veteran promoter, however, has refused to commit to the winner fighting for the title, adding: “I don’t know.
“What we do with that is, like when everyone was talking about when Conor comes back who’s he going to fight, you got to look at the landscape, who’s already got fights, who doesn’t.
“The Chandler fight is a fight people love. That fight is going to be absolutely violence.
“Conor and I have a great relationship, we’re on great terms.
“Listen, Conor would be perfect if he would just show up to places on time.
“Conor shows up when he wants to show up but other than that the kid’s awesome.
“Smart guy, he knows business and he’s fun to deal with and his fights are incredible.
“They’re fun to watch and fun to be a part of.
“I do [think there’s going to be respect between McGregor and Chandler] and Chandler is a really good person too.
“He’s a great guy to work with, I love that kid.”
McGregor, 34, underwent a dramatic body transformation during his recovery from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The Notorious hasn’t set fought since that fateful night in Las Vegas and Chandler is champing at the bit to give McGregor a rude welcome back to the cage.
He told MMA Fighting: “If he lands one on the button, it’s going to be a rough night for me.
“If I land one on the button, it’s going to be a rough night for him, but which one of us can do it?
“I’m going to get in his face, make him take a backwards step right away.
“He’s going to feel my presence from the very beginning of the fight and then from there wherever the fight takes us.
“If I want to pick him up and put him down, I can pick him up and put him down and put a beating on him and get a submission that way.
“I believe I finish Conor in the second round.
“That’s my ‘Mystic Mike’ take on this, later on this year whenever it is.”
