Welterweights Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will headline the upcoming UFC 303 next month as they face off in a grudge match.
McGregor returns to action after a three-year hiatus to face former Bellator champion Chandler. They will finally settle their feud at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, on June 29.
The pair first clashed at the 2023 instalment of the UFC's reality television show The Ultimate Fighter, with both men leading teams against each other.
They have since clashed physically and exchanged words on social media, setting up a fantastic match-up.
McGregor Aiming to Return with a Bang
McGregor finally returns to the UFC, but is he the same fighter who took the mixed martial arts world by storm?
He last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 264 in 2021 for the conclusive part of the Dustin Poirier trilogy, losing via a technical knockout.
His once-lauded striking ability did not look as sharp as it once did. There are also questions regarding his durability after so much time away.
He had previously built himself into the biggest draw in combat sports, clinching titles at lightweight and featherweight in the UFC.
It was not just the wins that defined McGregor, but how he achieved it. His fight against the legendary Jose Aldo in 2015 is a prime example of what made him special.
McGregor declared at the pre-fight press conference that he felt Aldo's right-hand twitching. He said the Brazilian was itching to unleash that hand and warned there would be deadly consequences.
The Irishman was famous for his counter striking and there is a now-viral clip of him practising a well-calculated counter punch before his walk-out.
The 2015 ESPN Fighter of the Year delivered it as pre-planned 13 seconds into the fight against an onrushing Aldo, winning and unifying the UFC Featherweight Championship.
McGregor is still the most famous name in MMA. His trash-talking, mind games and boisterous nature have helped bolster his superstar status.
However, his recent record is sketchy. He has lost three of his last four fights. His bouts have also been punctuated by long periods of inactivity, taking time to fulfil the demands of his superstar calling.
This upcoming fight is more than just a return for McGregor. It's a chance for him to prove he's still a force to be reckoned with - a fighter with the power to turn off the lights on opponents.
The bout will also garner significant interest in the Irish betting community, with punters expected to wager heavily on McGregor to emerge victorious.
Sportsbooks offering bets in Ireland will likely be inundated with new and existing customers eager to back the Irishman to return with a bang.
Bookmakers are unable to split McGregor and Chandler ahead of the fight, offering odds of 1.90 for each of them to have their hand raised in victory.
Chandler's Shot at Redemption
Chandler has been angling for this fight for the past couple of years, refusing to take any other opponent. He kept his schedule open for whenever McGregor would eventually be ready to fight.
The Missouri native has finally got his wish and is preparing to return to action for the first time since 2022. Like his opponent, he has lost three of his past four fights and is searching for redemption.
His only win in that stretch came against Tony Ferguson, but it was a stark reminder of the ever-present threat the 38-year-old carries. Chandler circled into Ferguson in the second round, firing a fierce front kick that sent his opponent limp and into the canvas.
His impressive UFC debut against Dan Hooker also comes to mind. Chandler stalked Hooker before sending him to the ground with a left hook and unleashing a barrage of blows to seal the win.
Chandler will be desperate to prove that this fight was worth the wait. He needs to bounce back following losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira.
This upcoming bout is more than just a fight for Chandler. It's the culmination of his pursuit of McGregor - a chance to silence doubters and reclaim his place among the elite.
Styles Clash - Technical Striker vs Wrecking Ball
While McGregor has the height and reach advantage, he also has a three-year absence to overcome.
McGregor can use his length to evade Chandler, but the American is a wrecking force that keeps coming forward.
What Chandler lacks in height and reach, he compensates for in explosiveness and athleticism. If he sets the pace, it could have severe repercussions for an under-conditioned McGregor.
Chandler also has the better ground game and can take his opponent into deep waters if he gets him down. McGregor's suspect ground game could become a major liability.
However, Chandler's tendency to steam forward could play into McGregor's hands, allowing him to utilise his lightning-fast counter striking.
