Conor McGregor has confirmed that he will announce his next fight on New Year’s Day after two and a half years out of action. The Irishman hasn’t fought since breaking his leg back in July 2021 during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

It is unclear whether this will be an MMA or boxing bout at the time of writing but the former appears to be the most likely with UFC president Dana White recently confirming that the pair had sat down to discuss his future.

McGregor is expected to face Michael Chandler in his next outing. The fight was mooted for the back end of this year, however those plans were delayed due to McGregor missing the 2023 deadline to re-enrol in the promotions drug-testing pool.

Providing an update on McGregor’s next steps during an Instagram live broadcast, White said: “We talked tonight. I’m in Abu Dhabi, he’s in Dubai. We’re gonna figure something out. We’re talking.”

Just two days after White’s assurance, McGregor has informed fans that his next fight is close to being announced. “I will be announcing my fight date and opponent on New Years Day, 2024,” he tweeted on Saturday. UFC 300 on April 13th has been mooted as the most likely date for the former champion’s return.

McGregor was recently in attendance for the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia as he witnessed Deontay Wilder fall to a shock defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker. When the former two-weight UFC world champion was interviewed at ringside he called for a fight with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and vented his frustrations about a lack of communication from the UFC.

“Get me back in there,” he told talkSPORT. “The Mac has lots to offer and loads to deliver. They are talking Manny [Pacquiao] here in Saudi. The lads in the UFC aren’t really talking any. So, the lads here are talking Manny, the UFC aren’t talking any. Give me something. I’m supposed to be back in April. It was supposed to be December!

“For all the figures I’ve brought in this game, I sell more than all of them combined. No one in the history of the fight game has been treated the way I’ve been getting treated at this minute. From what I came through, to what I bring. They f****** should open the floodgates for me. I’m waiting! And my patience is wearing thin on me waiting.”

McGregor vs Chandler had been discussed for UFC 300 in April but head coach John Kavanagh recently affirmed that Notorious’ comeback is likelier to take place in the summer.