Conor McGregor stares down former UFC champion after saying he'd 'rip him up'
Conor McGregor had a stare down in a ring with a former UFC champion after the pair had a previous spat two years ago with the Irishman nearing his return
Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor is set to make a thrilling return to the Octagon in 2024 against Michael Chandler. However, he's been seen squaring up to another fighter in former bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
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McGregor hasn't stepped into the cage since his defeat by Dustin Poirier in 2021, during which he broke his leg in the first round. McGregor re-started USADA drug testing last month as he prepares to take on Chandler next summer.
But the Irishman appeared to tease a potential fight with former UFC bantamweight champion Yan in a tense but playful face-off at the IBA Night of Champions in Dubai. The pair were seen stepping into the ring and squaring up, held apart by the IBA's president.
Yan, who has a fight record of 16-5-0, last fought in March when he lost to Merab Dvalishvili. He gave McGregor a stern look as they squared up.
While it's unlikely that these two will fight, they seemed to exchange some banter when a microphone was placed between them.
This comes after the pair had a bit of a spat on social media, with Yan challenging McGregor after the Irishman claimed in 2021 that he would 'rip him up'.
Yan responded: "Conor, we all know that you like to talk, but let's get straight to the point if you really want to box or fight, I don't care about the weight or the rules. I bet you won't show up."
After a few moments, they both started laughing and hugged each other.
The Russian fighter has faced defeat in three of his recent bouts and currently doesn't have a match scheduled after pulling out of a fight with Song Yadong this past weekend.
UFC president Dana White revealed in November McGregor is expected to return in July - ruling him out of fighting at UFC 300 in April which had been rumored.
