Conor McGregor confirms UFC return and demands two fights next year

The Irishman was suited and booted for Joshua vs Dubois at Wembley Stadium last night.

The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion was ringside as Daniel Dubois defeated Anthony Joshua to retain his IBF heavyweight belt, and spoke to the media about his own plans to fight again.

McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler in June, but was forced to cancel the event after suffering a broken toe in training.

Last weekend, Chandler announced he would take on Charles Oliveira in November - a rematch of Oliveira’s 2021 win against the American, which came via TKO.

That news confirmed for many that we won't have the pleasure of seeing McGregor throw hands again this year, but speculation has grown in recent months that 2025 will be the year that the Notorious gets back inside the octagon.

Dana White flirted with the idea of a McGregor bout in Dublin this week as he visited the capital to watch Cork's Callum Walsh defend his WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight title at the 3 Arena with a devastating second-round knockout against Przemyslaw Runowski of Poland.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Friday's event, the UFC President was asked if he plans to bring his organisation back to Ireland.

"The answer to your question is soon," he replied. "We’ll be back here soon."

When pressed on whether that meant 2025, White said: "Maybe, it’s possible."

He was also quizzed on McGregor’s return to the fight game and who his next opponent might be, to which he replied: "It’s going to be determined by when Conor comes back, who the opponent is.

"Whenever Conor is ready, and he comes back," he added.

Well, the man himself seemed to confirm a 2025 return last night while being interviewed by DAZN at Wembley.

Conor McGregor says he’ll be fighting in 2025 and says “he must” get at least two fights in next year.

He also says he hopes to fight Michael Chandler upon his return:

“I’d like it to be Chandler… I wish him well against Oliveira.”#UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/60RGqIRDMU

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 21, 2024

"It will be 2025," McGregor said. "We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled... it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on.

"My job is to go to the gym and be in shape, whenever it is and wherever it is," he added. "I will be 100 per cent ready.

"I must get two fights in 2025. It’s the promised land. Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It does not matter. Whoever, let’s see. I’d like it to be Chandler. I wish him well and see where it goes."

Fans took to social media last night to express their joy and bemusement at McGregor's 'wild' antics ringside.

Seated just behind Tyson Fury, the Crumlin native was shouting and jumping up and down throughout the fight, and erupted when Dubois knocked Joshua to the canvas.

LIGHTS OUT 👊💣 #JoshuaDubois pic.twitter.com/rNlOT1y6tD

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 21, 2024