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Conor McGregor Teases Summer UFC Return ‘Coming Soon’

MMA's biggest star could be returning soon.

Zain Bando

Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

After nearly a three-year layoff, former UFC double champion-turned-actor Conor McGregor is itching to make his long-awaited return to MMA.

Eight days before UFC 300, which will take place April 13 in Las Vegas, Nev., and feature 12 current or former champions, McGregor released an entrance-style video on social media.

“Coming soon,” McGregor wrote.

It is unclear if or when McGregor, 35, will return, but what is clear is that options are on the table for a comeback fight. The most prominent name is Michael Chandler, as he and McGregor coached opposite one another on TUF 31 and hinted at a fight by season’s end, but it never materialized.

McGregor has not competed for a UFC world title since Nov. 2016, and he has never defended his previously held featherweight or lightweight championships, both of which he held simultaneously. 

He eventually went off in a different direction in Aug. 2017, losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by TKO in his lone boxing appearance. 

In a since-deleted Instagram story, UFC CEO Dana White revealed McGregor’s intentions with the same caption but no further context.

At press time, UFC 303, scheduled for June 29 in Las Vegas and culminating with the UFC’s annual International Fight Week festivities, is without a main event, along with UFC 302, scheduled for June 1 in Newark, N.J.

The story is still developing, as McGregor’s last victory came in under a minute, dispatching Donald Cerrone by first-round TKO in Jan. 2020.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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