Conor McGregor has vowed to brutalise Michael Chandler when he steps back in the cage later this year, promising to leave his "head hanging off".
The legendary former two-weight world champion has been out of action since the summer of 2021 when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier, but has been raring to get back in action. And it is expected he will get his chance in December when he meets ex-Bellator lightweight king Chandler in Las Vegas.
In order to kickstart promotion for their fight, McGregor has been coaching opposite Chandler on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. The duo are taking on the roles of training lightweights and bantamweights against each other, with their fight serving as a pay-per-view season finale.
“I’m going to kick this guy in the head,” McGregor told the official UFC YouTube channel, insisting that he will use the metal bar implanted in his leg after the break at UFC 264. “He’s just tailor made for being kicked all over the place. And that’s what I’m aiming for, I’m aiming to wrap this steel bar around the opponent.
"And you’re see a visual of the leg hanging off, and then you’re going to see a visual of a head hanging off... It’s time for me to immerse myself back in the game. I was just excited to get back, couldn’t turn down the offer [to coach on the reality show].”
Both McGregor and Chandler are coming off stoppage defeats at the hands of Poirier, with the American submitting against his countryman last November at Madison Square Garden. But they are both still major draws due to their exciting fight styles and the Irishman in particular's star power.
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"He's put on some exciting fights," McGregor added. "He's eager, he's willing to fight, he's a gamer, you'd call him, and he's not a bad fighter either. So I'm happy with the opponent, I don't actually care. I accepted this show and it was me and Chandler, it doesn't bother me.
"What do I hope for in this world? I hope for 100 more fights, I hope for consistency, I hope for a run. I'ver had this on-off-on-off for the last while and I just want to get this nice consistency going and I'm hoping now when I come back that this is where it's at... I'm having a bit of fun to be honest with you.
"I don't mind Michael at all, don't mind the team, the lads. There was a bit of hostility at one stage but for the most part it's been a lot of good fun and happy days, I'd do this again, I'd coach this non-stop to be honest. I like Las Vegas, I have a base out here, I've got a house out here and the kids are out here with me and Dee in school and everything so we like Las Vegas a lot."
