Conor McGregor reveals next UFC opponent and fight date ahead of long-awaited comeback… and it’s NOT Michael Chandler

Irishman is one of the sport’s all-time greats and a former two-weight champion

He was due to take on Chandler in June but it was cancelled due to a broken toe

McGregor was recently spotted playing football at Emirates with Arsenal players

Conor McGregor has got UFC fans’ hearts racing after he revealed who he will be taking on in his comeback fight and when the bout will take place.

The Irishman is one of the sport’s all-time greats, becoming the first to hold belts in two weights, and attracting millions of new MMA fans with his entertaining fighting style and lively post-event interviews.

He last entered the Octagon in July 2021, losing to Dustin Poirier in his trilogy bout at UFC 264 and suffering a broken leg.

Since then, speculation has been rife as to who The Notorious will be fighting next. His much-anticipated comeback was set to be against Michael Chandler in June but the event was scuppered after he broke a toe in his left foot in training.

Now McGregor has broken his silence on a return to the UFC, naming Dan Hooker as his next opponent and February 1 as the date.

Conor McGregor has revealed who he will be taking on in his comeback fight in the UFC

Speculation has been rife as to who The Notorious will fight in his long-awaited comeback

The Irishman is one of UFC all-time greats, becoming the first to hold belts in two weights

McGregor made the revelation in a conversation with Bloody Elbow’s Donagh Corby at a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event in Marbella.

Asked if he has a message for ‘Floyd [Mayweather], the fighter says: ‘F*** Floyd.’

He is then questioned about an upcoming comeback, at which point he makes the shocking revelation.

‘February 1, Saudi Arabia,’ he says. ‘Dan Hooker.’

The chosen opponent, from New Zealand, is currently fifth in the UFC Lightweight rankings with Russia’s Islam Makhachev the champion.

Hooker has won 24 fights and lost 12 in his career in the Octagon most recently beating Polish star Mateusz Gamrot in a statement victory in August. The win extended his streak to three fights.

McGregor, 36, originally targeted a date in December for his first showdown back but UFC CEO Dana White soon put pay to these rumours and confirmed the Irishman will not fight until early 2025.

Last month, ahead of Anthony Joshua’s shock defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois in the boxing ring, McGregor said: ‘It will be 2025. We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled… it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on.

‘My job is to go to the gym and be in shape. Whenever it is and wherever it is. I will be 100 per cent ready. I must get two fights in 2025. It’s the promised land.

‘Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It does not matter. Whoever, let’s see. I like it to be Chandler. I wish him well and see where it goes.’

Dan Hooker is from New Zealand and currently fifth in the UFC lightweight rankings

Michael Chandler was tipped to face McGregor but has accepted a fight with Charles Oliveira

McGregor last fought in July 2021 and a comeback this year was derailed due to an injury

Arsenal are considering match day protocols after the bizarre post-match incident between McGregor and Bukayo Saka

Last week, McGregor swapped the Octagon for the turf at the Emirates as he enjoyed a kickabout with Arsenal stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka following the Gunners victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Rice later shared a photo with McGregor on social media, writing ‘Big win & a pleasure to meet you.’

The bizarre impromptu training session raised concerns over the Premier League side’s post-match protocols.

The north London giants are reportedly investigating how the fighter found his way onto the pitch with the players, as they look to avoid a repeat of the event.