McGregor wants to fight two fights and end his current UFC contract in 2025

With two fights left on his UFC contract, Conor McGregor is confident he will be able to take part in both next year.

“I have to. I have to,” McGregor said Saturday at the Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois broadcast in London, eager to end the longest layoff of his career. “It's the promised land.”

McGregor has not entered the Octagon since breaking his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

The former two-division champion said he is unsure what will happen to his career after these two fights, but he hinted that he plans to negotiate his contract and test free agency.

“I don't even know,” McGregor said. “I don't think anyone in space knows. I'm the most prolific fighter in space right now. I'm the most prolific fighter on planet Earth right now, in space today. What happens after that, when I'm a free agent? I'm not so sure.”

McGregor said his comeback fight is now scheduled for 2025 after Michael Chandler agreed to a rematch against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on November 16.

McGregor and Chandler had been negotiating a duel for the past 19 months and were scheduled to headline UFC 303 in June, but the Irishman pulled out due to a broken toe.

McGregor said he still hopes to make a comeback against Chandler, but will reevaluate his decision after seeing how the former Bellator champion fares against Oliveira.

“It doesn't matter,” McGregor said of his next opponent. “As long as I can come back. Whoever. Whoever. That's all. I'd prefer Chandler. I'd like to get that settled. So I wish him luck against Oliveira. But let's see how it goes.”

McGregor said he didn't mind Chandler deviating from the planned clash.

“I'm just going to embrace it and keep rocking,” McGregor said. “My job is just to go to the gym, be in the gym and stay in shape. And one thing is for sure: whenever and wherever it is, I'm going to be 100% ready. That's all I can focus on right now.”