Conor McGregor drops bombshell over UFC return after opponent leaked

Conor McGregor has reacted to recent rumours surrounding his UFC return after Dana White appeared to leak his opponent.

Ever since the controversial end to McGregor's trilogy fight with rival Dustin Poirier back in July 2021, UFC fans have been asking what was next for the Irishman.

He was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler in June 2024, but the fight fell through after McGregor was forced to withdraw due to a toe injury.

In the following months, the former two-weight UFC champion was involved in a lengthy civil lawsuit, resulting in him paying damages to Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her in a hotel in Dublin in 2018.

Many assumed that we would never see McGregor fight again, but those beliefs appear to have been squashed in recent months as it looks like he will return to the octagon this summer.

Now, McGregor himself has released a statement confirming that his return is imminent.

Posing on Instagram, the Irish fighter wrote: "The rumours are true! Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again! Call your grandma! Nanny we did it!

"Watch and pay me. F*** you pay me. You fat Irish p**** you don’t have my money I put your brain to sleep."

He continued: "Hey Paramount Plus see you guys soon I’m so excited! And Born Ready. The Notorious Conor McGregor."

McGregor is expected to return in the summer. (Image: Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Who will McGregor fight in his UFC comeback bout?

Several names have been linked with McGregor in recent months, with a rescheduled bout with Chandler seemingly the obvious choice.

However, with reports suggesting that 'Notorious' could headline the international fight week card on July 11, Chandler appears to be out of the running having been booked to fight Mauricio Ruffy on the White House card in June.

Instead, some believe that McGregor could be fighting fellow Irish fighter Ian Garry after UFC boss White appeared to accidentally confirm that the fight was on this year.

But, other reports have suggested that he will be fighting a former BMF champions, ruling Garry out while setting up several exciting matchups.

Jorge Masvidal, Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway are the only fighters to have held and lost the BMF title and with Gaethje challenging for the lightweight title at the White House, that leaves just two options.

Holloway, who recently lost the BMF title to Charles Oliveira, has recently called for the McGregor fight 'at any weight', meanwhile Masvidal, who last fought in March 2022, has been teasing a UFC return to come this summer.

Of the two, Masvidal on paper seems to be the most sensible pick given where the two men are in their careers at the minute, but it remains to be seen who the UFC will select for what will no doubt be one of the biggest fights of the year..