Conor McGregor, UFC Discuss New Contract Ahead of Michael Chandler Fight at UFC 303

Ahead of his return fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 after a three-year layoff, Conor McGregor is looking to sign a new deal with UFC.

Speaking on a Duelbits live chat (h/t MMA Fighting's Damon Martin), McGregor revealed he is in talks with UFC about a contract extension since his current deal only has two fights remaining and he would like to have three fights in 2024:

"June 29, September 5—Mexican Independence Day—and then December. Three bouts this year. Now, I'll say this, God willing, because life has showed me sometimes different — with injuries and madness takes place. Please God, three bouts. June 29, Sept. 5, and something tasty in December, end of year. I have two fights left on my UFC contract. We're currently in negotiation stage with the UFC. Let's see what happens. Let's see what takes place."

Three fights in a calendar year, especially when the first fight doesn't happen for another month, is certainly ambitious for McGregor.

McGregor hasn't stepped into the octagon since suffering fractures to the tibia and fibula in his left leg during the first round of his bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 on July 10, 2021.

The last time McGregor fought three times in a calendar year was 2016 when he split two bouts with Nate Diaz and defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 to win the lightweight championship.

But that trio of fights came in March, August and November. McGregor's first bout of 2024 is currently set to take place on June 29.

Even though McGregor referred to Sept. 5 as Mexican Independence Day, it actually falls on Sept. 16. UFC 306 will be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14.

The 11-week turnaround between McGregor's fight with Chandler at UFC 303 and a potential bout at UFC 306 would be the shortest time between bouts of his UFC career.

UFC doesn't have any events currently scheduled for Sept. 5. The only event prior to pay-per-view at the Sphere is UFC 305 on Aug. 18 from Perth, Australia.

It took to more than one year to get the McGregor-Chandler bout officially scheduled after it was originally announced in February 2023 when UFC president Dana White revealed both fighters were going to serve as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.

The anticipation for McGregor's return is paying off huge for UFC. White has said the gate is already over $20 million, which would top the promotion's current record of $17.7 million for UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden.

McGregor will enter UFC 303 looking to turn his fortunes around. He has lost three of his last four bouts, with all three losses coming via stoppage.