Conor McGregor's UFC Return Delayed Again

Former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor will not make his long-awaited return to the Octagon this year, according to UFC President Dana White.

McGregor has been absent from the ring since his 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier, a fight that ended with him suffering a broken leg. The 36-year-old also withdrew from a scheduled UFC 303 welterweight bout against Michael Chandler in June due to a broken toe.

"We didn't meet up but we talked, and yeah, (McGregor) wants to fight. So we'll figure it out. (But) not this year. He won't fight this year," White told reporters on Tuesday. McGregor, however, remains optimistic, expressing on social media his desire to fight in December.

(With inputs from agencies.)