Conor McGregor drops huge bombshell on his UFC future as update given on his return

Conor McGregor has issued a major update on his UFC career as his highly-anticipated return is officially in motion.

McGregor has been extremely inactive, having not fought since his crushing first-round TKO defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in July 2021.

He was booked to face Michael Chandler at last summer's UFC 313, but a toe injury suffered in training camp forced him to withdraw from the Las Vegas showdown.

The bout wasn't rearranged as Chandler eventually squared off against Paddy Pimblett, who secured a big win at UFC 314 last April.

But McGregor's UFC return is officially in the works after he took to social media to post a major update on his career.

He was drug tested by an official after returning to the testing pool.

The Irishman provided a blood and urine sample, with his UFC return now on the cards.

He shared a series of posts online, accompanied with the caption: "I gave my first blood test, that’s the plaster on my shoulder. I am ECSTATIC! I'm in SHAPE!"

McGregor, sporting a mohawk, also shared a clip of himself shadow boxing as he looked to be in supreme shape.

Conor McGregor says he’s officially back in the UFC’s testing pool 👀

“I gave my first blood test, that’s what the plaster is on my shoulder. I am ECSTATIC! I’m in SHAPE!”

🎥 @TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/qEYz3Zq0MX

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 30, 2025

When will Conor McGregor return to the UFC and who will he fight?

It's been over four years since McGregor last stepped foot inside the famed Octagon.

The 37-year-old, though, is seemingly on track to return to action and is eyeing a spot on the proposed UFC White House event after US president Donald Trump teased a blockbuster event.

The White House event is set to take place on July 4, 2026, which will mark America's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Chandler is hoping to finally secure a fight against him after their bout was cancelled last year.

"Everybody knows that’s the fight that I want," he said. "I have said publicly that’s the fight that I want, but I’m also the guy who’s not going to wait for that fight. As you can see by me fighting Charles and then Paddy- two fights in five months.

"Once [McGregor] got injured, once he pulled out of the fight, we had to move on. I could have just sat on the sidelines, but I was ready to get back in there and prove to the fans who I am, how I operate, and I want to put on fun, exciting performances."