Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor will not return to the octagon this year, according to Dana White.

McGregor’s last UFC fight was his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

The Irishman lost that fight and also suffered a broken leg.

McGregor, 36, had been booked to make his comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June before breaking a toe in training.

There had been hope that McGregor’s fight with Chandler could be rearranged for later this year. But UFC CEO White has since declared that ‘Notorious’ will not be back in action until 2025.

Conor McGregor pictured at UFC 264 in 2021 after losing his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier

UFC CEO Dana White declared this week: ‘Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025’

McGregor is a former two-weight UFC champion but he has lost three of his last four fights

Speaking to the New York Post ahead of UFC 306, which is taking place in Nevada on Saturday, White said: ‘I was the one this year saying I don’t think he’s going to fight this year.

‘With all the talk and everything else. Even with the fight being set up and the press conference.

‘Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.

‘As far as the hunger, he’s a very wealthy guy, we’ll find out when he comes back.’

White’s update on McGregor came just days after the man himself had suggested that he was keen to headline UFC 310 in December.