Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler agree to fight as Irishman plots UFC return

McGregor is still sidelined after breaking his tibia in July but the Irishman agreed to a fight with Chandler following his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268

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Conor McGregor shows off watch as he smokes cigar

Conor McGregor has agreed to a fight with Michael Chandler while praising him for his recent thriller with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268.

Chandler and Gaethje put on one of the best three-round fights in recent years with Gaethje earning victory by unanimous decision.

It was Chandler’s second consecutive loss in the UFC after falling short in his attempt to win the vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira in May.

Chandler has made no secret of his desire to fight McGregor who is recovering from the broken leg he suffered in his July loss to Dustin Poirier.

The Irishman has also teased fights against Max Holloway and Tony Ferguson as he prepares to make his octagon return next year.

Chandler again took to social media to share an unofficial fight poster captioned “2022”.

“I’m down at some stage for sure. Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!,” McGregor replied.

And Chandler said: “Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure. See you soon.”

Before his fight at UFC 268, Chandler told Helen Yee Sports about his plans of welcoming McGregor back to the cage.

“I mean, Conor, I hope he heals up pretty well. Yeah, there’s a lot of people that have talked about me and Conor fighting for a very long time,” he said.

“I do think it will be one of the most electrifying, especially first rounds, ever.

“We will both come in 100 miles an hour and look to see who gets that win, but we’ll see and I hope that fight happens sometime.”

Several of McGregor’s countrymen and teammates were in action last week with Peter Queally and James Gallagher suffering losses in front of a home crowd at Bellator 270.

Should McGregor fight Chandler in his UFC return? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

Twenty-three-year-old prospect Ian Garry then picked up a stoppage win in his UFC debut and he paid homage to McGregor’s iconic 2014 speech after he knocked out Diego Brandao at UFC Dublin.

“A wise Irishman once said before mate, he stepped in this very cage and he said, we’re not here to take part we’re here to takeover, and this is the takeover part two,” he said.

McGregor reflected on the fights that took place and praised his fellow fighters for their efforts.

“An emotional weekend of fighting this weekend,” he wrote. “If you do this sport, win, lose or draw you’re the f****** man/woman and don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

“Congrats to all and thank you for the sheer entertainment! What a sport! What a game! What a life! Thank you all.”