Conor McGregor has confirmed on social media that he will announce his next fight on New Year's Day.
The UFC icon hasn't fought since losing to Dustin Poirier in July 2021 with plenty of speculation since then on his long-awaited return.
He broke his left tibia and fibular at the end of the first round against Poirier, but he's repeatedly stated in 2023 that he's fit and raring to go.
McGregor claimed he was "supposed to be back in April" with a bout against Michael Chandler touted as a possibility.
Conor McGregor hasn't fought since July 2021.
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But it looks as though McGregor will now be making his return early next year with McGregor teasing fans on social media that an agreement is already in place.
He wrote on X: "I will be announcing my fight date and opponent on New Years Day, 2024."
When McGregor's next fight will be remains to be seen but Chandler has appeared confident that he's the man who will step into the ring with the Irishman.
The No.5 ranked lightweight contender expects a fight with McGregor to happen in the first few months of 2024.
“I believe this fight is happening in the first quarter of next year,” he said recently.
“I haven’t been told an exact date but pretty much ‘stay ready’.
“When 2024 hits, we hit the ground running.”
Chandler added: “We knock Conor out in two [rounds].
“You give me one year to prepare for a guy like Conor McGregor, I’m going to be a different animal whenever I go out there and compete against him.
“I’ve been watching the tapes, watching the training footage and we’ve got a nice little game plan we are putting together down in Florida.”
Conor McGregor could face Michael Chandler next
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McGregor's frustration at a lack of action in UFC led to the fighter calling out Manny Pacquiao in another possible crossover bout.
He was sat next to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Day of Reckoning boxing event in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas where McGregor called out Pacquiao.
“I love Manny, tell Manny to grow a set of balls,” McGregor shouted at Ronaldo.
“Tell Manny to grow a set of balls and fight me at a higher weight.
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Conor McGregor spoke about his next fight with Cristiano Ronaldo
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“Why not? It’s his sport. If he wants me to come down to a smaller weight he should let me use more of my weapons.
“I should be able to kick, I should be able to grapple.
"Shouldn’t that be fair? Say it to him, is he a man or a mouse? Is Manny a man or a mouse?”
