CONOR MCGREGOR has a ‘big chip on his shoulder’ ahead of his return to the octagon.
The Notorious is gearing up for a trilogy fight with former featherweight foe Dustin Poirier, whom he’ll meet on July 10 in the main event of UFC 264 in Las Vegas.
McGregor, 32, suffered a brutal second-round KO loss to The Diamond in January and is determined to remind the world he’s still an elite lightweight in their rubber match.
He tweeted: “I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder and I’m gonna break another few faces with it.”
McGregor’s vow to ‘break another few faces’ with his shoulder – which he shattered Donald Cerrone’s nose with at UFC 246 – came after he was embroiled in a row with lightweight rival Justin Gaethje.
Former interim lightweight champ Gaethje took aim at the UFC’s poster boy after seeing him criticise his head coach Trevor Wittman for not competing in mixed martial arts.
And that drew a quick and blistering response from Mystic Mac.
He replied: “I’d smoke you and your coach at the same time in these patented @McGregorFast fight gloves.”
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Despite his efforts currently being focused on mixed martial arts, McGregor continues to be linked with a return to the boxing world – which he entered in August 2017 for a blockbuster fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
YouTube star Jake Paul has been trying to lure the Irishman back to the ring and renewed his calls for the fight after his one-minute decimation of former UFC star Ben Askren.
McGregor’s recent sparring partner Dylan Moran reckons the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion will return to the squared circle one day, telling Sky Sports: “There are plenty of years left in Conor.
“Wherever the big fights are at. You can see by the rematch with Dustin that he doesn’t shy away from challenges.
“If the right challenge is put to him, he will take it on board.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Conor back in the boxing ring, for sure.
“I’ve been in there with him at Irish level, European level and world level. Conor has given it to me as much as anyone. That speaks for itself.
“When you are a person of Conor’s notes, you will have naysayers and doubters of the highest degree. Even if his boxing was the best, people would say it’s useless.
“I’ve sparred him. I’ve been in there with him, and I’m a boxer. So my opinion is one to listen to.”
