Conor McGregor hasn’t even touched down in Las Vegas, and already his comeback fight with Michael Chandler is breaking records.

The legendary two-weight world champion has been out of action since July of 2021 when he suffered a brutal leg injury against Dustin Poirier. But he is back in the octagon against Chandler on June 29 as the main event of UFC 303 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

McGregor is one of the biggest stars in UFC history, and his comeback is expected to be a massive event for the sport, promotion and even the city of Las Vegas. With six weeks still to go until showtime, the Irishman is already breaking records for the sport.

Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler has broken UFC gate records

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that before a pay-per-view has been sold or either man has appeared at a press conference, the promotion’s gate record has been smashed. McGregor himself holds the current title for UFC 205, when he generated $17,700,000 against Eddie Alvarez.

In fact, just one of the top five gates in promotional history doesn’t feature McGregor, despite his three-year absence and previous lengthy spells on the sidelines. Since UFC 205 almost eight years ago, he has competed just four times, one of which was with a limited crowd during the covid era.

Speaking with media after UFC St Louis on Saturday night, White confirmed the monster gate record, saying: “It’s already way over $20 million.” He also threw in a slight jab at former Showtime Boxing boss Stephen Espinoza who had previously mocked the promotion for failing to generate such a gate.

Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler ticket prices soar as gate record is broken

However, one downside of the massive gate income is the prices that fans are being asked to pay to attend. A cursory run through the numbers would indicate that an average price of $1,000 dollars would need to be set for tickets to the 20,000 capacity T-Mobile Arena in order to garner $20million.

Conor McGregor in a blue suit holds a bag of money

The promotion are actually likely to make considerably more than that, with initial prices starting at $750 and going as far as $14,500. Once dynamic pricing is factored into the equation that forces prices up even further, there will be very few attendees who paid less than $1,000 at the event on June 29.

Fans have been upset by the increase in prices, with one tweeting: “The cheapest tickets for 303 are the same price as floor level for 300… No s*** it’s going to be the highest in UFC history when the ticket prices are 5x if not more the price as usual.”

Conor McGregor guarantees to show ‘levels’ in Michael Chandler fight

While McGregor is a massive draw for the UFC and Las Vegas, a key player in his intrigue is the success he has in the octagon. But without a win in over four years, and three more prior to that, he is in a do or die scenario against Chandler.

(L-R) Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler shake hands during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter at UFC APEX on March 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bookies cannot separate the pair, and with a two year absence of his own, Chandler’s status as favourite with experts has been called into question. Many feel that he has the wrestling pedigree to cause McGregor serious problems.

But there is a belief that his aggressive striking style leaves him open to be caught my the Irishman’s sniper left hand. The experts are divided, although McGregor is completely confident after re-dedicating himself to an intensive training camp in his native Dublin.

“There is levels and in 7 weeks and 5 days you are gonna see the very, very top level,” he told fans on social media last week. “This next run is for the Clan!”