Dana White Teases Conor McGregor's UFC Return 'Coming Soon' on IG Story

Conor McGregor's three-year absence from the Octagon may soon be ending.

UFC president Dana White hinted at McGregor's return in an Instagram story Friday:

McGregor has been out of action since breaking his leg in a July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He's been medically cleared for more than a year but has continued to sit out to rehab while negotiating a return with White.

Michael Chandler has long been pegged as McGregor's next opponent after the two served as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter last year. Chandler called McGregor out during the Feb. 19 episode of Monday Night Raw.

The same parent company (Endeavor) now owns UFC and WWE, so Chandler's appearance was a bit of corporate synergy to build hype for the fight.

White has said McGregor's wealth has made negotiating his return a little more complicated than most fighters.

"Well, first of all, he is coming back from one of the nastiest injuries you can come back from," White told Kevin Iole in February. "How long was Anderson Silva out when he did it? How long was Chris Weidman out when he did it? You know, the guys who break that bone — so that's an issue right there, No. 1.

"No. 2, Conor McGregor doesn't need the f--king money. So, when you don't need the money, it's not as easy — I mean, Khabib [Nurmagomedov] doesn't need the money. Khabib retired."

McGregor has a surging net worth after selling his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey brand in April 2021. He nevertheless seems determined to get back to fighting and prove himself after losing three of his last four fights.