Dana White forced into major U-turn over Conor McGregor fight as UFC boss makes 'correction' over his return

UFC fans will have to wait even longer for Conor McGregor's return after it was confirmed his fight with Michael Chandler won't take place this year.

Irish superstar McGregor, 36, has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in 2021.

He was expected to make his long-awaited return against Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29, but was forced to pull out of the event in Las Vegas after breaking his toe.

The fight was set to be rescheduled for later this year but UFC boss Dana White has now confirmed McGregor won't return to the octagon until 2025 at the earliest.

After seemingly announcing to Barstool Sports that McGregor would not face Chandler next, White issued a correction on Friday evening – confirming his plans for the former two-weight champion.

Barstool Sports journalist Robbie Fox posted a video on X clarifying the situation.

"I just got off the phone with Dana White and we've got an issue, a quick correction on the breaking news that Conor McGregor will not fight Michael Chandler in his UFC return," said Fox.

"Dana said there was a misunderstanding in our exchange. That fight still may happen but Michael Chandler is taking a fight first. He is getting a fight first and it will be against Charles Oliveira in a five-round co-main event at Madison Square Garden.

"The Conor fight still may happen in the future but Michael Chandler is taking that fight first. We will see what happens with Conor, he's not going to be back until 2025."

Chandler's fight with former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira is now set to take place at UFC 309 on November 16.

McGregor, meanwhile, insists he is still fully committed to making a return to MMA.

McGregor is not set to return to the UFC until 2025 (Image: Getty)

When asked by The Sun how many times he plans to fight next year, McGregor said: "I don't know - ten times!"

Chandler, meanwhile, has slammed McGregor in a furious rant on social media, while confirming he remains first in line to face the Irishman – should he return to the UFC as planned.

"If Conor can finally get his house in order, if he can finally string together a couple of sober days, string together a couple of days where he's actually training and actually feeling good, and he can actually finally make good on his promise to make the greatest comeback in combat sports history, if he can finally pony up, then I will fight Conor after I dispatch of Charles Oliveira," Chandler said on Instagram.