DANA WHITE has revealed the UFC’s new tentative plans for Conor McGregor.
The Irishman was due to make his long-awaited octagon return in June against rival Ultimate Fighter 31 coach Michael Chandler.
But he was forced to pull out of his comeback clash after suffering a broken left pinky toe just a matter of weeks before the Sin City showdown.
McGregor, 36, revealed in an exclusive interview with SunSport that he was eyeing a December return to the octagon but has come to terms with a 2025 comeback.
But the rescheduled Return of The Mac won’t take place in the first half of what promises to be a stacked 2025 for MMA’s promotion.
He said in the UFC 309 post-fight press conference: “Conor is going to come back late ’25.”
Fan favourite Chandler renewed his calls to face McGregor next year in the wake of his decision defeat to former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
He roared to Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview: “Conor McGregor!!!”:
“If you can ever get your house back in order while us real professionals have been keeping the Octagon warm.
“We are wondering where you have been Conor. Come back and beat me, if you can?”
But White, at this moment in time, has no idea about who will welcome the MMA superstar back to the cage.
He said: “There’s a lot of time before we can figure out who’s gonna fight Conor.”
McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier three-and-a-half years ago.
And according to White, he’s champing at the bit to make his octagon return.
The veteran promoter, 55, said: “There is no doubt Conor wants to fight.
“He hits me up all the time.
“I told you guys he probably wasn’t going to fight in 2024 and he didn’t.
“He’s going to fight in 2025, probably at the end of the year, if it is earlier that is good for all of us.”
