DANA WHITE has revealed the UFC are hoping to have Conor McGregor return to the octagon “early next year”.
The promotion’s poster boy is set to be welcomed back to the cage by fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler – his rival coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Conor McGregor’s clash with Michael Chandler was seemingly set for December 16TWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMA
McGregor’s absence from the UFC’s drug testing pool has seemingly delayed the fightSPORTSFILE
GETTYUFC boss Dana White has hinted The Notorious will be back in action ‘early’ in 2024[/caption]
UFC chiefs had hoped to have their biggest star headline their final pay-per-view event of the year – UFC 296 – on December 16.
But The Notorious missed the June deadline to get back in their drug testing pool for the required six months, which has seemingly prompted the promotion to pivot to 2024 for the return of the Mac.
During an appearance on Crain & Company, White said: “To not do that fight will be ridiculous.
“We’re working on it. I’m hoping we can do it early next year.”
White doubled down on the new timeline for McGregor’s eagerly-anticipated octagon return in the UFC 292 post-fight press conference on Sunday morning.
The veteran promoter, 54, told the assembled media: “I’d say next year.
“You’re asking me questions I don’t have the answers to.
“Why not December? Who the f*** knows? We’ll see how this plays out.”
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The UFC’s new timeline for McGregor comes just a week after he vowed to be back in action in December.
Mystic Mac – the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion – told talkSPORT: “December.”
“Chandler next in December and then [Justin] Gaethje, BMF.
“And then we’ll do the Nate [Diaz] trilogy.”
McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier two years ago.
He said of his clash with Chandler: “This is the biggest comeback in sporting history.
“What I’ve come through and what I’ve attained.
“I’m very excited for it and I’m very confident for it.”