Conor McGregor's Fight Calendar and the End of His UFC Career

Conor McGregor has publicly committed to two fights during the remainder of 2026 as the Irish fighter approaches the likely end of his mixed martial arts career. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed at a February press conference that McGregor would fight Michael Chandler at UFC 314 on June 7 and, pending the outcome, one additional fight later in 2026. McGregor, 37, has not competed in a UFC event since his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

The fighter's career trajectory has been defined by commercial dominance and competitive decline. McGregor's 22-6 professional record includes two UFC titles — the lightweight and featherweight championships — and the largest pay-per-view buy-rate in combat sports history. His 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather (which he lost via 10th-round TKO) generated 4.7 million pay-per-view buys in the United States, second-highest in the sport's history.

The Chandler Matchup

The McGregor-Chandler matchup was originally scheduled for UFC 303 in June 2024 but was canceled due to McGregor's broken toe injury. Both fighters have since returned to public preparation, with McGregor resuming training in November 2025 and Chandler maintaining consistent competitive activity throughout the intervening period.

Chandler, 39, has a professional MMA record of 24-9. His UFC career has included high-profile losses to Charles Oliveira (title fight) and Justin Gaethje (contender's bout), but his willingness to fight and aggressive striking style have made him a marketable opponent for McGregor. The matchup is expected to generate significant pay-per-view revenue despite both fighters' ages.

McGregor's Training Status

McGregor's public preparation for the Chandler fight has been conducted at the SBG Ireland gym under head coach John Kavanagh. Kavanagh has told Irish media that McGregor is "in his best shape in years" and has specifically focused on cardiovascular conditioning after the broken toe complicated his 2024 training cycle.

The fighter's weight-cutting has been an ongoing concern. McGregor has not competed at the 155-pound lightweight limit in several years and has struggled to make weight in previous fights. The SBG camp has emphasized "slow and steady" weight loss beginning in April, with target fight weight of approximately 170 pounds.

Business Empire Beyond the Cage

McGregor's business portfolio has expanded significantly during his competitive hiatus. Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, the brand he co-founded in 2018 and sold majority ownership of in 2021 for $600 million, has continued to grow. McGregor retains a minority stake and remains the brand's public face.

Forged Irish Stout, the beer brand he founded in 2023, has expanded to the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom. August McGregor, his clothing line launched in 2024, has partnered with upscale retailers in 12 countries. The McGregor Enterprises holding company's combined 2024 revenue was approximately $450 million, per company public filings.

The Islam Makhachev Question

Islam Makhachev, the UFC's current lightweight champion, has publicly declined McGregor's challenge. Makhachev told The Sun in January: "Conor is too old. He hasn't fought in five years. There's no logic in giving him a title fight." The statement reflects the broader industry consensus that McGregor's advancing age and competitive inactivity make a title fight commercially compelling but competitively inappropriate.

Dana White has publicly supported Makhachev's position. White told ESPN that the UFC would "prefer to focus on real title matchups" rather than manufacture a McGregor title fight. The decision reflects a shift in the UFC's commercial strategy under White's TKO Group leadership — emphasizing competitive matchups over star-driven bouts even when the commercial returns are higher.

The Drug Test Controversies

McGregor's career has been marked by multiple controversies, including a 2018 bus attack on rival Khabib Nurmagomedov's vehicle and multiple drug-testing incidents. The fighter has accused former opponents and trainers of spreading false rumors about his performance-enhancing drug use, though no sanctioned violations have been publicly recorded.

The UFC's U.S. Anti-Doping Agency partnership, terminated in 2023 amid the broader TKO Group reorganization, has been replaced by partnerships with Drug Free Sport International. McGregor has publicly emphasized his willingness to participate in all testing protocols, telling IFLTV in November: "I've never taken anything. The testing is here, let them do it."

The Boxing Return

Despite his UFC contract obligations, McGregor has publicly flirted with boxing returns. His 2017 Mayweather fight generated $300 million in personal income, and a rematch or alternative boxing fight would likely produce similar returns. However, McGregor's UFC contract requires him to compete exclusively in MMA unless White authorizes a specific exception.

Manny Pacquiao, the former Filipino boxing champion, has publicly targeted McGregor for a boxing match. The match would likely require significant contractual negotiations and would face substantial regulatory complications. Neither the UFC nor Pacquiao's management have issued public statements about active negotiations for 2026 or 2027.

Legacy Questions

McGregor's legacy as a mixed martial artist is mixed. His athletic accomplishments — two simultaneous UFC championships (featherweight and lightweight) in 2016, the largest commercial draw in MMA history, and significant competitive excellence against top-tier opponents — place him among the sport's most successful fighters. His competitive record since 2018, however, has been negative, with losses to Dustin Poirier (twice) and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The Chandler fight and the potential second 2026 fight represent McGregor's last opportunity to improve his competitive legacy before retirement. A victory would somewhat restore his competitive credibility; another loss would make his place in MMA history significantly weaker. Dana White has publicly emphasized McGregor's willingness to fight as the defining element of his post-competitive legacy.

Retirement Timeline

McGregor has publicly committed to retirement after his UFC contract ends, though the exact timing depends on his remaining fight obligations. His current contract is structured in a pay-per-view-driven model — he receives larger purses for higher-selling fights. The contract has no specific fight count requirement but rather continues until McGregor chooses to retire.

Dana White has told reporters that McGregor has "signaled" intent to retire after the 2026 fight calendar. Whether that intent becomes a formal retirement announcement depends on the outcomes of the Chandler fight and the possible second 2026 bout. The fighter's commercial prominence will likely continue beyond his competitive retirement through his business portfolio and media appearances.