CONOR McGREGOR is ramping up his training in preparation for his UFC return – and has already DROPPED a sparring partner.
The Irish superstar is finally on track for a comeback bout, which will be his first since July 2021.
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McGregor has spent a period training out in Dubai and he gave fans a rare insight into his intense sessions.
The former two-weight UFC champion released a series of videos sparring with different partners.
In one clip, McGregor lands a beautiful one-two combination that floors his sparring partner.
The training opponent did make it to his feet and carried on but McGregor’s speed, power and precision was on display.
McGregor, 35, has suffered a frustrating period on the sidelines since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier, 34.
But after returning to the UFC’s all-year round random drug testing program, he will be eligible to fight again.
McGregor is lined up to return against Michael Chandler next year after the two coached on reality series The Ultimate Fighter.
Chandler, 37, has had frustrations of his own waiting for the bout to materialise but the American is willing to wait it out.
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He said on The MMA Hour: “I’ve fought extremely hard. Some very, very tough fights I’ve had since I came into the UFC, especially [since] I fought everybody inside the top five basically.
“Fights of the Year, Knockouts of the Year, all of those different things.
“So any time I find myself being frustrated, I believe I’m always able to go back to my north star that, hey, it’s going to work out the way it’s going to, just like me coming to the UFC.
“That door stayed closed until it was time for that door to open.
“The door opening for this fight with Conor, whenever it’s finally supposed to be, it will be, and I’m just being at peace in the midst of the waiting.”
Chandler is still holding out hope he could headline the historic UFC 300 card against McGregor.
He said: “Obviously that would be a dream scenario. That’s when I would like to fight, where I would like to fight, who I would want to fight.
“Chandler vs. Conor is happening. I don’t have a date or a location or a UFC number for you, but it’s definitely going to happen next year.”
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