Conor McGregor reveals his retirement plans ahead of massive UFC comeback fight with Michael Chandler
CONOR MCGREGOR has outlined his retirement plans ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to the octagon.
The MMA superstar will be back in action later this year against former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, although a date for the showdown has yet to be finalised.
The fight will be the penultimate of McGregor’s contract with UFC, although he doesn’t plan to end his career outside of mixed martial arts’ premier promotion.
When discussing Francis Ngannou’s departure from the brand, the Notorious told MMA Fighting: “What, to go out and do a little side quest, and seeking to get some boxing dollars and all the rest of it?
“No, for me — for me, the UFC is [the] pinnacle and it’s the company I love.
“It’s a company, I wish to be with this company for the rest of my career. I hope we can continue.”
McGregor, 34, is hoping to ink a new bumper deal with the UFC and compete several more times before he hangs up his gloves.
He told Barstool Sports: “What do I hope for in this world? I hope for 100 fights.
“I hope for 100 more fights. I’m working for consistency.
“I’ve been having this on, off, on, off nonsense for too long.
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“Via fight politics, via injuries, via just life. It does happen.
“It’s God’s plan. It’s all God, so I accept and understand it.
“But I’m excited and hopeful that I can get a nice consecutive run of bouts.”
McGregor’s clash with Chandler will be his first since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021, an injury which left him in a dark place.
He said: “[It was] very tough times, very tough times. Very unsure times.
“And you’ve only got to look at Chris Weidman, who recently returned to competition with his jiu-jitsu competition.
“Very happy for Chris, very happy to see that.
“Because it’s a tough one, there’s no two ways about it.
“I’m blessed to have the correct care and attention to it, medically. I’ve had the best doctors, best surgeons.
“I got it back, thank God. And I’m back better than ever. So I’m excited.”