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Conor McGregor's next fight is expected to take place sometime in the first quarter of 2023. McGregor has been out of action since suffering a horrific leg break at the end of the first round of his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
During the post-fight press conference at UFC 280, the promotion's president, Dana White, confirmed that the Irishman would have to undergo six months of mandatory drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) before he could return to the UFC.
Watch Dana White talk about Conor McGregor's comeback below:
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Hence, the earliest fight fans can expect 'The Notorious' to make a return to the premier MMA promotion will be around April to May of 2023.
Also, during a recent social media live session, the former UFC two-division champion revealed that he was trying to make a UFC return sometime in the first quarter of the coming year:
"I'm gonna be back soon, hopefully. Early 2023 I'm aiming for. You know, sometime in that first quarter. That'll give me a good couple of months. Once I wrap this [fliming for his movie] in a couple of days, get this camp going, [a] good couple of months, and get going."
Watch Conor McGregor talk about his comeback plans below:
In a recent tweet, the 34-year-old suggested that he was planning to have multiple fights in 2023 once he finishes filming for his Hollywood debut movie, Road House.
Who are some of the potential opponents Conor McGregor could face for his comeback fight?
There has been no shortage of callouts aimed at Conor McGregor, despite the Irishman being out of action for more than a year at this point. Since the 34-year-old is expected to return to the UFC next year, let's take a look at who he is likely to face on his return.
Earlier this year, in an interview with TMZ Sports, Dana White stated his interest in making a fight between Conor McGregor and former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.
Watch White talk about McGregor vs. Chandler below:
The match-up makes sense, especially since 'Iron' specifically called out McGregor after the former's spectacular knockout of Tony Ferguson at UFC 270. However, since McGregor recently tweeted that he is planning to make his return as a welterweight, Chalder will have to face 'The Notorious' at 170 lbs.
McGregor also has a long-standing beef with UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal. Since 'Gamebred' is a seasoned welterweight, a showdown between the two is also an option the UFC could explore.
Watch Jorge Masvidal talk about Conor McGregor below:
McGregor was also called out by former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira earlier in the year. However, his recent title fight loss at UFC 280 and the fact that he is not a natural welterweight might work against 'do Bronx'.
