UFC president Dana White outlined a tentative timeline for the highly anticipated matchup between former champion Conor McGregor and veteran contender Michael Chandler, noting that the clash would unfold in the sport’s heavyweight division and expected to occur this fall. According to White, the plan calls for a fall showdown, with September emerging as the most likely month for the event. He also confirmed that the bout would be contested in a heavyweight context, adding that the exact date would depend on how the schedule shapes up and the readiness of both fighters. This information came as White spoke about the evolving plans surrounding one of the promotion’s marquee rivalries, underscoring the care the organization takes to align weight class realities with competitors’ readiness and the broader fight calendar. (Source: UFC communications)
McGregor, who at 34 remains one of the most recognizable figures in mixed martial arts, last fought in a high-profile rematch with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That bout ended in the opening round when McGregor suffered a broken leg, a setback that briefly paused his activity inside the octagon but did not diminish the interest in his return. The punchline for fans has long been the prospect of seeing McGregor back inside the cage, trading leather with top contenders in dramatic, crowd-pleasing fashion. As White framed it, the upcoming clash with Chandler would be a major milestone in McGregor’s comeback narrative, one that UFC audiences have followed with keen anticipation. (Source: UFC communications)
Looking back to late 2022, there were early indications that McGregor could make a comeback within roughly six months, assuming medical clearances and testing timelines aligned. The standard in this sport requires athletes to pass stringent anti-doping protocols and deliver negative test results across successive checks to be eligible for competition. White reaffirmed that any return must satisfy the sport’s rigorous health and compliance requirements, a priority that UFC officials consistently emphasize when plotting major fights. This frame of reference helps explain why the timeline for McGregor’s return has been shaped around medical recoveries, testing cycles, and contractual negotiations in tandem with Chandler’s readiness and matchmaking considerations. (Source: UFC communications)
Earlier reporting tied the McGregor-Chandler spectacle to the conclusion of the new 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, where both fighters would serve as team coaches. The dynamic of coaching roles adds a narrative layer to the anticipated bout, presenting a storyline that fans often embrace as much as the fight itself. White indicated that the plan remains for this coaching setup to lead into the heavyweight showdown, with the broader programming slate attempting to maximize engagement across UFC’s broadcast windows and event cycles. (Source: UFC communications)