Conor McGregor is looking forward to his return after an enforced spell on the sidelines as he recovered from a serious leg injury he suffered in his most recent bout in the Octagon.

It was announced this month that McGregor would return to UFC programming later on this year to coach his second stint on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ opposite lightweight contender Michael Chandler, with the two combining for a pay-per-view main event fight afterwards in what will likely be the single most-watched UFC event (or even combat sports event) of 2023.

McGregor’s last TUF appearance saw him compete opposite Urijah Faber in the weeks after the Dubliner won his first UFC title in a fight against Faber’s longtime teammate Chad Mendes in the summer of 2015. That time around, though, McGregor cut something of a frustrated figure given that he wouldn’t be afforded an opportunity to settle the rivalry with Faber in the cage.

🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨@TheNotoriousMMA speaks for the first time on his comeback fight with Michael Chandler | @DonaghCorby_

Full story HERE: https://t.co/vAHXkNZdNz pic.twitter.com/LhKNmqWmEt

— Mirror Fighting (@MirrorFighting) February 13, 2023

This time, there are no such concerns given that the Chandler fight is assured. And speaking to The Mirror on the streets of Dublin before jetting off to Las Vegas, McGregor offered an update on how his preparations are going and that he is relishing his imminent return.

“I’m looking forward to it,” McGregor said. “I feel good, feel energetic, feel ready. I’m throwing up my high kicks faster than I’m throwing up my jab. So, I’m very excited to get back.”

McGregor has used his time away from the sport well, it would seem. Several training videos have been released online to show his in-ring work, and he also last year filmed what will be his Hollywood feature film debut when he stars alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the remake of the 1980’s cult classic film ‘Road House’.