• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Conor McGregor set to return in 'early 2023' and Justin Gaethje is the front-runner to be his opponent

Home> MMA

Published 14:49 8 Oct 2022 GMT+1

Conor McGregor set to return in 'early 2023' and Justin Gaethje is the front-runner to be his opponent

Conor McGregor's UFC return appears set as Justin Gaethje emerges as front-runner to be his opponent.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Conor McGregor appears set to return to the UFC in 'early 2023' and Justin Gaethje is the 'front-runner' to welcome him back to the Octagon.

The 'Notorious' is closing in on his UFC comeback, having recovered from the leg break suffered in his last outing.

He hasn't fought since his TKO defeat last summer but seems in line to return to action early next year.

That's according to MMA Pack, who claim McGregor will fight at welterweight and Gaethje is the leading candidate to be his opponent.

Advert

What's more, McGregor has liked the post revealing the supposed details of his next fight on Instagram.

The Irishman is currently on a two-fight losing skid following his back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier.

Gaethje, meanwhile, hasn't fought since his submission defeat to Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title.

Advert

The American has fought the majority of his career at lightweight but is reportedly set to compete at 170lbs to take on McGregor.

'The Highlight' recently took aim at McGregor when discussing a potential match-up and accused the UFC star of being on steroids amid his body transformation.

"If everybody would just remember correctly, I fought Cowboy, I beat him and then he fought Cowboy right after that [at UFC 246 in January 2020]," he told MMA Fighting.

"I was primed and ready to go. It sounds to me like he’s off taking steroids right now.

Advert

"He hasn’t been drug tested by USADA in quite some time. I’m looking for fair competition."

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Gaethje added: "If he’s on steroids, then give me steroids and let’s go, I’m down with that.

"My health is my biggest factor. I have never taken a performance-enhancing drug, and I do not want to fight people that are taking performance enhancing drugs."

Advert

Will McGregor vs. Gaethje take place in the first quarter of 2023? Watch this space.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Alamy

Topics: Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, UFC

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
3 days ago
  • a day ago

    Conor McGregor could finally make UFC return in blockbuster event as leaked DM sends fans into meltdown

    Conor McGregor has teased a monstrous fight as he plots his UFC return.

    MMA
  • a day ago

    Donald Trump and Dana White 'confirm' massive UFC event to take place in The White House

    The US President made a huge announcement about a historic UFC event.

    MMA
  • 3 days ago

    Paddy Pimblett sounds off on 'embarrassing' Charles Oliveira for what happened before devastating Ilia Topuria knockout

    Paddy Pimblett called out Charles Oliveira's 'amateur' gameplan against Ilia Topuria.

    MMA
  • 3 days ago

    Israel Adesanya in fiery incident with UFC fan after hearing him make comment about Jon Jones

    Jon Jones recently chose to retire from the UFC rather than fight Tom Aspinall.

    MMA
  • Conor McGregor drops comeback hint with new training footage after Ilia Topuria wins at UFC 317
  • Joe Rogan makes feelings clear on Ilia Topuria as UFC 317 star looks to replicate Conor McGregor feat
  • Conor McGregor could finally make UFC return in blockbuster event as leaked DM sends fans into meltdown
  • Conor McGregor confirms next opponent and exact date for UFC return in surprise revelation