McGregor eyeing 3-4 bouts a year: 'One is madness'

Conor McGregor intends to stay active after he makes his return to the Octagon.

The former UFC two-division champion said he'd like to have three or four fights per year. He's had four MMA bouts since 2017.

"If I can get to where I need to get to, three or four a year is perfect," McGregor told UFC reporter Megan Olivi in an interview published Tuesday. "One is madness. And it's been one (year) on, one year off, one on, one year off - and then obviously, with the leg thing, it's been a bit longer. It is what it is."

McGregor hasn't stepped into the cage since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. That was his second fight that year, the other being a knockout loss to Poirier in January. The Irishman fought once in 2020, not at all in 2019, and once in 2018.

Though a date hasn't been set, McGregor is expected to face Michael Chandler in his comeback bout later in 2023. McGregor and Chandler recently served as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 31," which premieres this week. McGregor said earlier this month that the fight will be announced during the show.

Ideally, McGregor said, his return will lead to a streak reminiscent of his 2015 and 2016 title-winning campaigns.

"What do I hope for in this world?" McGregor said. "I hope for 100 more fights. I hope for consistency. I hope for a run. I've had this on, off, on, off for the last while. I just want to get this nice consistency going, and I'm hoping now, when I come back, this is where it's at."