Dana White gives huge update on Conor McGregor's UFC return

Dana White has confessed that he didn't believe Conor McGregor would fight this year even though he booked him in to go up against Michael Chandler .

The UFC CEO has opened up about McGregor's absence from the sport since he broke his leg three years ago during the first round of his third fight with Dustin Poirier. McGregor - who has recently hinted at retirement in a bid to become President of Ireland - has been pencilled in to fight Chandler for 18 months but had to withdraw in June when he broke his toe during a training session .

McGregor was hoping to fight at the final pay-per-view of the year, at UFC 310 on December 7, but White has now insisted he will not get the opportunity to enter the octagon until 2025. He said: "I was the one this year saying I don't think he's going to fight this year."

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White continued to the New York Post: "With all the talk and everything else. Even with the fight being set up and the press conference. Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025. As far as the hunger, he’s a very wealthy guy, we’ll find out when he comes back."

White's comments come after former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen made claims that fans can expect to see McGregor's return in January. He said: “I think that Conor is sincere that he would like to fight 170lb, T-Mobile Arena, December of 2024 opposite of Michael Chandler under the unified rules of the mixed martial arts. I believe him,”

He added: "I believe that an inside scoop that I’m getting that the UFC wants all of those same things they just want it in January in California . Who you gonna believe? I’m sharing what I believe, but that sure sounds close, that sounds like we’re real close here."

Meanwhile, YouTuber Jake Paul spoke on his podcast admitting that he believes McGregor is being restricted by the UFC. He said: "So that's what's happening to Conor McGregor right now, for the people at home who don't understand it, basically, they're like, 'Why is Conor not fighting?'

"Conor has two fights left on his fight deal, but the UFC is trying to renew their rights deal because they license their content, which are the fights, to platforms. So they're trying to renew their deal. They're negotiating with multiple people, but let's say it's going to go with ESPN.

"They're trying to renew the deal and get the most amount of money. A part of that negotiation is, 'Hey, we have Conor McGregor for two more fights, but if he were to fight now, that wouldn't be a part of the negotiation. The company would be like, 'Oh yeah, well you only have Conor for one fight.' So that's why Conor's not fighting right now."