Conor McGregor hugs tree in bizarre video ahead of UFC comeback fight

UFC legend McGregor will step foot in the cage for the first time in almost three years when he faces Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas. The former two-weight world champion broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in his last fight and is without a win since KO’ing Donald Cerrone in 40-seconds over four years ago.

McGregor is less than seven weeks away from his return date and he raised eyebrows by telling fans he’s been hugging trees to make himself happy. “Little walk through the park to the gym, a bit of grounding. Walk, tree hug. Look at these trees… I’ve been hugging the trees lately, it’s a nice little feeling yeah,” McGregor said in an Instagram video.

Conor McGregor shared a video of him hugging a tree ( Image: thenotoriousmma | Instagram)

The Irishman is fighting again in less than seven weeks ( Image: thenotoriousmma | Instagram)

“Grounding, tree hugging, all of this nature stuff. It feels very good, now I’m going to go in and bust someone up.” McGregor is hoping to fight three times this year, targeting a trilogy fight with old rival Nate Diaz and boxing match with Manny Pacquiao after his return against Chandler.

McGregor has almost 20 career wins by KO but Chandler thinks he is a bigger puncher than his opponent. “I am the better fighter, I am the tougher fighter and I’m the guy who deserves it more. I don’t need to be getting into a firefight with a guy who has got a bigger rifle than me. I think I hit harder than he does,” Chandler told Shawn Ryan.

“I think his time out of the cage has lent itself to his timing, movement and reflexes not being what they used to be. From the first exchange, I’m going to hit him with big punches, make him second guess himself. Pick him up, put him down and choke him if I want to. Go out there and get the finish.”

Chandler has been waiting patiently on the sidelines for his shot at McGregor since being tapped out by Poirier over 18-months ago. McGregor is known for his getting in his opponent’s head but Chandler thinks his rival’s trash-talking skills have deteriorated over the years and won’t have any effect on him.