Conor McGregor’s team issue big update on return after UFC star misses drug testing deadline for December return

CONOR MCGREGOR’S manager Audie Attar has admitted that the Notorious’ UFC return will likely have to wait until 2024.

The Irishman has been out of action since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Conor McGregor was spotted in New York last weekGetty

Audie Attar has attempted to shed some light on McGregor’s situationAP

McGregor, 35, is expected to fight Michael Chandler – having coached against the American in The Ultimate Fighter earlier this year.

A date has not yet been booked, with the former two-weight champion yet to re-enter the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool.

Speaking to MMA Junkie about the situation, Attar said: “One of the things everybody forgets is that Conor was one of the most tested athletes when he was competing, and we’re going about things the right way.

“We’re in active discussions with the UFC, we’ve spoken to USADA, and we’re going to do things the right way.

“That’s all I’m going to say about that.

“The thing about Conor McGregor is, people will speculate and stories run wild that are nine times out of 10 very inaccurate and false, so that’s all I’ll say about that.

“But certainly, he’s looking for a comeback in 2024.”

Chandler, 37, has not fought since losing to Poirier at Madison Square Garden in a November bloodbath last year.

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Michael Chandler has been out of action since his brutal bout with Dustin Poirier last November[/caption]

Should McGregor not be able to fight until 2024, the American will have been forced to sit out for more than a year while waiting for the lucrative bout.

Despite Chandler’s patience, Attar has admitted that McGregor could fight somebody else.

He added: “He always could look elsewhere. Everybody’s always doubting him in different ways and criticising him, and being critical.

“But ultimately, they’ll see when he steps into that octagon, and ultimately I think they can eat their words then.

“Until then, we’re just going to do our thing, and go about it the right way. He’s preparing at the end of the day, and that’s the most important thing.

“Chandler makes sense, but so do others. But, Chandler is who he has his sights set on. We did that show knowing that that matchup would be next.”

When recently asked about McGregor’s status, UFC president Dana White was largely none the wiser.

Ahead of UFC 290, he said: “The Conor thing, who the hell knows how that’s gonna play out.

“Who cares what USADA says? We’ll see what happens when it happens.”

Attempting to shed more light on when McGregor will return to action, Attar said: “You can’t rule out the end of the year, but I think just in terms of where we are right now in terms of the date, it’s likely going to be 2024.

“I think that’s what the UFC has their sights set on so, we’ll see kind of exactly when that will be.”

Should McGregor not be able to return in 2023, fans could turn their eyes towards UFC 300 – which is likely to take place in March or April 2024.

Asked if he has anything in the works for the momentous landmark occasion, White told TNT Sports this week : “I’m not even close. The stuff that we’re focused on right now, all the stuff that happens between now and 300 will determine the card on 300.

“We have so many badass fights coming up this summer and end of the fall and those will determine what happens as we get closer to 300.”

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Dana White is unclear on when McGregor will be back in action[/caption]