Conor McGregor says Michael Chandler fight announcement is ‘coming’ as he provides huge update on UFC return date

CONOR MCGREGOR has hinted his long-awaited return to the UFC will be announced imminently.

The UFC‘s poster boy hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier two years ago.

AP

Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the cage since breaking his leg two years ago[/caption]

The Notorious is due to be welcomed back by Michael Chandler but a date for their clash hasn’t been announcedTWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMA

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The UFC’s poster boy insists an announcement is ‘coming’[/caption]

Former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler was officially announced as the opponent for The Notorious’ comeback fight in February but it’s not yet come to fruition.

McGregor’s absence from the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool has delayed the fight – which was seemingly set to land on the promotion’s final pay-per-view card of the year in December.

MMA fans are growing frustrated by the delay in finalising the fight date, which McGregor has hinted will be revealed sooner rather than later.

In a recent tweet sharing a video of himself hitting the heavy bag, he wrote: “I’ll start recording my work again to share with you all while we get this next fight on and set.

“It’s coming I promise. All my real fans, the fans of the real fighter, it’s coming, I promise!”

UFC and USADA policy requires fighters re-entering the pool to be available for drug testing for a minimum of six months before they’re eligible to compete.

MMA’s top promotion can, however, issue an exemption to the six-month notice rule in “exceptional circumstances”.

McGregor, 35, has continued to cast doubt over his clash with Chandler – his rival Ultimate Fighter coach – in recent weeks.

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The Irishman has seemingly pivoted to a grudge match with long-time rival Justin Gaethje, although UFC president Dana White isn’t having any of it.

The 54-year-old said earlier this week: “Yes he’s fighting Chandler.”

White added: “I talked to Conor, either yesterday or the day before.

“And yeah, he’s ready to fight.

“I said, ‘Listen, get in shape and let’s figure this out.’”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the biggest fight of his career, fan favourite Chandler is confident he’ll eventually lock horns with Mystic Mac.

He said: “I’m not really that worried about it. I believe the fight is happening.

“The fight makes too much sense for it not to happen.

“I’m still the most entertaining guy on the doggone roster.

“Everyone wants to see the greatest comeback in combat sports history, so I think it’s going to be me and Conor. That’s it.”