McGregor has been absent from the Octagon since his leg injury in 2021 during a bout with Dustin Poirier. A planned return against Chandler in June 2024 was canceled due to McGregor breaking his pinky toe during training. UFC CEO Dana White has indicated that McGregor's return is unlikely before late 2025 .

Daniel Cormier thinks Michael Chandler is smart for going after Conor McGregor again. Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) called out McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) after suffering a dominant decision loss to Charles Oliveira in Saturday's UFC 309 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Former two-weight champion McGregor hasn't fought since 2021 when he suffered a broken leg in defeat to Dustin Poirier. He has been scheduled to return against Chandler in the Summer of 2024, but a toe injury forced the bout to be scrapped.