UFC insider says it is "foolish" to hope for Conor McGregor's return at this point but hints at a potential timeline nonetheless

A UFC insider has weighed in on Conor McGregor's long-awaited return to the octagon and suggested that the Irishman is unlikely to fight anytime soon. That said, the MMA fighter-turned-analyst still outlined a possible timeline for McGregor's comeback.

The Dubliner hasn't fought since breaking his leg in a first-round TKO defeat against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 (July 2021). McGregor was to return against Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout at UFC 303 (June 29, 2024), but he withdrew due to a toe injury.

Chandler recently signed on to face former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a lightweight rematch that'll go down at UFC 309 (Nov. 16, 2024).

In an edition of ESPN MMA's Good Guy / Bad Guy, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and ex-UFC star Chael Sonnen recently addressed Conor McGregor's future in fighting. Sonnen suggested that McGregor would likely fight during International Fight Week in 2025.

For context, the UFC's International Fight Week generally takes place in June and/or July every year. Insinuating that he wouldn't be surprised if 'The Notorious' doesn't return to fighting, Sonnen stated:

"If Conor is to return, it will be in earliest of International Fight [Week] weekend, next year. And in theory, at a minimum, you could bring Chandler. Like, regardless of this [Oliveira] match, Chandler could still be the guy for McGregor. I don't know what to make of Conor. We're looking foolish at this point by continuing to act as though he's gonna come back."

Sonnen listed multiple indications that Conor McGregor's fighting comeback is unlikely -- including his injury against Poirier, experiencing great financial success by selling his whiskey brand, making his Hollywood debut alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, and getting several other opportunities.

The ex-UFC middleweight and light heavyweight reiterated his theory that Conor McGregor feigned a toe injury to withdraw from the Chandler matchup. Sonnen referenced the injury, McGregor's pullout from his UFC 303 Dublin press conference, and withdrawal from the Chandler fight -- noting that they're all signals that he's unlikely to return:

"I mean, listen, let me stop right there because even baseball tells you three strikes and you're out. At some point, we all got to accept this and move on."

Watch Sonnen's assessment below (20:27):

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What's next for Conor McGregor after Michael Chandler pivots to Charles Oliveira rematch?

During their conversation, Cormier and Sonnen lauded Michael Chandler for moving on to the Charles Oliveira fight. For his part, Chandler believes he'll defeat Oliveira and then potentially challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title or fight McGregor.

Moreover, Cormier made an allusion to McGregor pulling out of UFC 303 and implied that the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion may not be completely committed to a comeback. 'DC' and Sonnen appeared to concur that McGregor has time and again spoken about his return but something always ends up postponing it.

As of late, UFC CEO Dana White has maintained that McGregor is likely to return in early 2025. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old fighter has resumed training and is campaigning for a return this year.

Furthermore, White recently teased that the Canelo Alvarez-Conor McGregor dream matchup might be a possibility. Ergo, some feel that the UFC might contractually permit 'The Notorious' to face boxing megastar Alvarez inside the squared circle next year.