Dana White sets new date for Conor McGregor's UFC return after Michael Chandler call-out
Dana White has admitted that Conor McGregor's return to the UFC is unlikely to come before late 2025.
McGregor, 36, was scheduled to end his three-year hiatus from the octagon and face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, but the fight was cancelled after the Irishman suffered a broken toe in the weeks leading up to the lightweight bout.
The former two-weight champion has two fights remaining on his current deal in the UFC and recently claimed he was in talks to fight Dan Hooker at UFC Saudi Arabia on February 1.
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However, White has revealed that 'The Notorious' is not primed for a return to the UFC until the latter stages of 2025.
Speaking at a press conference after UFC 309 on Saturday night, White said: "Conor is going to come back in late 2025, so there is a lot of time for us to work out who is going to fight Conor. 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."
After seeing his hopes of fighting McGregor scuppered earlier this year, Chandler made his return to the octagon at Madison Square Garden on Saturday but was defeated by Brazilian Charles Oliveira.
However, that didn't stop the American from calling out McGregor and urging the Irishman to "get your house back in order" and make a return to the UFC.
“Hey, I had a bunch of callouts. I was supposed to show up tonight, do my job, and win the fight, forget calling out Islam, Charles is doing that next. Maybe Max Holloway for the BMF belt," said Chandler.
“Or Conor McGregor, if you can ever get your house back in order while us real professionals have been keeping the octagon warm, we’re wondering where you’ve been, Conor. Come back and beat me, if you can!”
Former featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor has not fought since suffering a broken leg in his defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
