Surprise, surprise, The King…is making claims of another new date and place for a comeback. But if it happens, is there a change in plans for his opponent?
In an interview with Bloody Elbow while in Marbella for Saturday’s BKFC event, Conor McGregor claimed that his long-awaited, long-delayed return to the Octagon will now come on February 1 when the UFC is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia for its second event in the country.
Though rumored, there is no confirmation that this event could serve as UFC 312 — just two weeks after the promotion holds UFC 311 in January as its first pay-per-view for 2025.
What’s noteworthy about McGregor’s remarks, however, is that the opponent for such a fight would now be Dan Hooker, apparently…
Michael Chandler had long been planned to be McGregor’s comeback opponent, stretching back to their time coaching season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023. The two were scheduled to meet at UFC 303 earlier this year before McGregor withdrew.
Chandler has since been booked to face Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC 309 on Nov. 16 — a rematch of their lightweight title fight from UFC 262 in 2021.
Conor McGregor Claims He Will Now Face Dan Hooker In Saudi Arabia
UFC CEO Dana White had assured that McGregor vs. Chandler was still on the table even with the latter taking the fight with Oliveira. If McGregor’s comments are true, this would be a 180 from those plans.
The Irishman has previously claimed he wants to fight twice in 2025, which would allow him to complete his UFC contract and enter free agency. He became part-owner of BKFC earlier this year.
McGregor has not fought since his UFC 264 loss to Dustin Poirier in their July 2021 trilogy fight. Hooker, meanwhile, defeated Mateusz Gamrot in upset fashion at UFC 305 in August to return to the top five at 155 pounds.
