- Irishman is one of the sport’s all-time greats and a former two-weight champion
- He was scheduled to face Chandler in June, but that was canceled due to a broken toe
- McGregor was recently spotted playing football at Emirates with Arsenal players
Conor McGregor has set UFC fans’ hearts racing after revealing who he will face in his comeback fight and when the fight will take place.
The Irishman is one of the sport’s all-time greats. He became the first to hold a belt in two weights and attracted millions of new MMA fans with his entertaining fighting style and lively post-event interviews.
He last entered the Octagon in July 2021, losing to Dustin Poirier in his trilogy fight at UFC 264 and suffering a broken leg.
Since then, speculation has been rife about who The Notorious will fight next. His long-awaited comeback was scheduled to take place in June against Michael Chandler, but the event was disrupted after he broke a toe in his left foot during training.
Now McGregor has broken his silence on a return to the UFC, naming Dan Hooker as his next opponent and February 1 as the date to remember, speaking to Bloody elbow Donagh Corby during a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event in Marbella.
Conor McGregor has set UFC fans’ hearts racing after revealing who he will face in his comeback fight
Speculation is rife about who The Notorious will fight next
The Irishman is one of the sport’s all-time greats, becoming the first to hold a belt in two weights
Asked if he has a message for ‘Floyd’ [Mayweather]the fighter says: ‘F*** Floyd.’
He is then questioned about an upcoming comeback, after which he makes the shocking revelation.
“February 1, Saudi Arabia,” he says. “Dan Hooker.”
The chosen opponent, from New Zealand, is currently fifth in the UFC Lightweight Rankings, with Russia’s Islam Makhachev as champion.
Hooker has won 24 fights and lost 12 in his Octagon career. Most recently, he defeated Polish star Mateusz Gamrot in a statement victory in August. The win extended his streak to three fights.
The 36-year-old McGregor had originally scheduled a December date for his first showdown, but UFC CEO Dana White quickly put an end to those rumors and confirmed that the Irishman won’t fight until early 2025.
Last month, ahead of Anthony Joshua’s shock defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois in the boxing ring, McGregor said: ‘It will be 2025. We’ll see. My opponent that I had planned… it is what it is. I’ll take it on board and move on.
“My job is to go to the gym and be in shape. Whenever it is and wherever it is. I will be one hundred percent ready. I need to get two fights in 2025. It is the promised land.
“Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It doesn’t matter. Anybody, let’s take a look. I like being Chandler. I wish him the best and see where it goes.”
Dan Hooker (right), the chosen opponent, is from New Zealand and is currently fifth in the UFC Lightweight Rankings
Michael Chandler was tipped to face McGregor but has accepted a fight against Charles Oliveira
McGregor last fought in July 2021 and a comeback this year was derailed due to injury
Arsenal are considering matchday protocols following the bizarre incident following last week’s match between Conor McGregor and Bukayo Saka
Last week, McGregor swapped the Octagon for the turf at the Emirates as he enjoyed a kickabout with Arsenal stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka following the Gunners’ victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Rice later shared a photo with McGregor on social media and wrote: “Great win and a pleasure to meet you.”
The bizarre impromptu training session raised concerns over the Premier League side’s post-match protocols and the North London giants have investigated how the fighter found his way onto the pitch with the players as they look to prevent a repeat of the event .
