UFC CEO Dana White has officially announced that Conor McGregor will face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas. McGregor, known as one of the biggest stars in MMA history, is set to return to the octagon after his last fight in 2021, where he suffered a leg injury against Dustin Poirier. This matchup comes after McGregor and Chandler coached against each other on The Ultimate Fighter reality show last year.
McGregor’s return to the ring follows a series of setbacks, including consecutive losses to Poirier, with his last four MMA fights dating back to 2016. Despite these challenges, McGregor remains a significant draw for the UFC, having been involved in the six highest-grossing fights in UFC history. Notably, his bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 boasted 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, generating approximately $180 million in revenue.
BREAKING 🚨@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @DustinPoirier – #UFC302@SStricklandMMA vs @BorrachinhaMMA – #UFC302 @TheNotoriousMMA vs @MikeChandlerMMA – #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/oGbgtoyHho
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
Beyond the octagon, McGregor’s influence extends to the world of boxing, with his 2017 match against Floyd Mayweather ranking as the second best-selling boxing event ever, amassing 4.3 million domestic pay-per-view buys and over $600 million in total revenue according to Showtime. McGregor’s financial success extends beyond his fighting career, with his ranking as the 50th highest-paid athlete of all time, earning an estimated $555 million when adjusted for inflation. Much of his earnings come from ventures such as the whiskey brand he launched in 2018, Proper No. Twelve, and his highly lucrative bout with Mayweather.
MYSTIC MAC IS BACK 🔮🇮🇪@TheNotoriousMMA takes on @MikeChandlerMMA at 170lbs! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/kt3a12qM6x
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
