White expects McGregor's next UFC fight in 'later part of next year'

UFC CEO Dana White doesn't see Conor McGregor coming back to the Octagon until well into 2025.

"When Conor comes back, which I see being sometime in the later part of next year, we'll see where everybody's at and what's going on. And we'll figure out who faces Conor," White said Thursday on "The Jim Rome Show."

McGregor's highly anticipated return has been delayed several times. The former two-division champion was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June - in a matchup that was more than a year in the making at that point - but was forced off the card because of a broken toe. McGregor and Chandler served as the two coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 31" in early 2023.

White said he believes McGregor "definitely wants to come back," according to MMA Fighting's Damon Martin.

The UFC CEO still sees Chandler as an option for McGregor's next opponent, though he wouldn't commit to the matchup. Chandler is slated for a rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on Saturday in New York.

"I think Conor and Chandler both like that fight. There's no denying - that's why everybody was so excited about it - Chandler and Conor McGregor is a fun fight," White said.

In September, McGregor said he wanted to fight twice next year and complete his current UFC contract.

The Irishman hinted last month he could face Dan Hooker at a February event in Saudi Arabia.

McGregor is currently in the midst of a civil trial in Ireland in which a woman alleged that the fighter and another man sexually assaulted her in 2018. McGregor testified in court Wednesday and denied the allegations.