Conor McGregor hints at different fight comeback date to Dana White after UFC chief claimed he wouldn’t return this year

CONOR MCGREGOR insists his UFC return is “imminent” – despite it being pushed back until next year.

The MMA superstar appeared to be on course to make his long-awaited comeback against Michael Chandler – his rival coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 – at UFC 296 on December 16.

GETTYConor McGregor was seemingly on course to make his UFC return in December[/caption]

UFC president Dana White recently claimed The Notorious will be back in action next yearGETTY

INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMAMcGregor, however, is seemingly still eyeing a December return[/caption]

But UFC president and newly-minted CEO Dana White recently announced that Brit Leon Edwards‘ welterweight title fight with Colby Covington will headline the promotion’s final pay-per-view card of the year.

McGregor, however, seemingly still has aspirations of returning to the cage this year, telling The Mirror: “Yes [I’m] en route. En route, son. En route.”

The UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion added: “I’m still hoping out for December.”

When pressed on why his proposed December return didn’t come to fruition, The Notorious said: “Nothing happened. Steady on, steady on.”

McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier over two years ago.

But he’s fighting fit and raring to go after a painstaking rehab and a dramatic body transformation.

“It’s imminent,” the Irishman said of his return. “It’s imminent.”

The MMA world is patiently awaiting the announcement of McGregor’s comeback fight, which White recently admitted he has no update on.

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The 54-year-old said on Tuesday night: “I got nothing on either one of those guys right now.

“I’ve been saying for a while that next year is when Conor is going to fight.

“If Chandler gets antsy, we’ll figure something out.”

White, however, is adamant the UFC’s poster boy will strap on his gloves again next year, telling Piers Morgan: “He is back in the gym, he’s training.

“And, yeah, I expect to see Conor fighting next year.”

Fight fans fear Chandler – who has sat patiently on the sidelines for nearly a year – may get overlooked in favour of a sexier match-up.

But White insists the UFC will stick to their word and give Chandler his “Red Panty Night”.

During an appearance on Crain & Company, he said: “To not do that fight will be ridiculous.

“We’re working on it. I’m hoping we can do it early next year.”

APConor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg over two years ago[/caption]