sport news Conor McGregor to face Michael Chandler in comeback fight next year, says Dana ... trends now Conor McGregor is likely to face Michael Chandler next, says UFC chief Dana White - who says he can 'see the light at the end of the tunnel' for the Irishman... but insists he is 'not retiring any time soon' UFC boss Dana White claimed Conor McGregor will make his comeback soon There were suggestions McGregor would soon retire but White refuted them White said that the Irishman will face off with American Michael Chandler It will be a first return to the octagon for McGregor since breaking his leg in 2021 By James Cohen For Mailonline Published: 10:56 GMT, 9 December 2022 | Updated: 10:56 GMT, 9 December 2022 Viewcomments Conor McGregor will face lightweight Michael Chandler in his UFC comeback fight, according to organisation boss Dana White. McGregor - the former lightweight and featherweight champion of the UFC - has not been seen in the octagon since his horrific leg-break and loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Though, with pictures circulating of the Irishman looking in good shape, rumours of his return have been rife and White confirmed that McGregor will be back in 2023. Irish UFC star Conor McGregor has not been seen in the octagon since his July 2021 loss UFC boss Dana White claimed that McGregor is not retiring and will return in 2023 Michael Chandler is seen as one of the toughest competitors in the lightweight division Speaking to ESPN, White confirmed: 'He [McGregor] is not retiring anytime soon but can see the light at the end of the tunnel.' He went on to say that the 34-year-old will likely make his UFC return against Michael Chandler next year. The American is regarded as one of the top contenders in the lightweight division despite also recently suffering a loss to Dustin Poirier. In-fact, Chandler has lost three out of his last four bouts but is still seen as a genuine threat to McGregor given his vicious striking style and heavy hands. McGregor, similarly, has won just one of his last four fights. He scored a TKO victory over Donald Cerrone in 2020 after making his first octagon appearance in two years. McGregor's last bout ended in defeat after the Irishman broke his leg against Dustin Poirier Poirier (L), similarly to McGregor, fell to defeat against Dustin Poirier in his last UFC outing After McGregor removed himself from the USADA testing pool, there had been suggestions that the Irishman was preparing to step away from the UFC. And after recent images showed McGregor looking heavier than he has previously, it led to questions being raised by high-profile names in the sport. Fellow UFC star Anthony Smith stated in a podcast that there was 'only one reason' for him to do this. 'There's only one reason you would do that. He's looking jacked as s***. You keep seeing videos of him flexing in front of mirrors and screaming and he's huge. He healed really fast. Like, really fast,' Smith said on Michael Bisping's Believe You Me podcast. McGregor's injury was a significant one that has kept him out of action for well over a year. It has been suggested that McGregor may have needed to take some medication that could result in a positive test to help his recovery. Conor McGregor has been posting pictures of himself looking bulked up in recent months McGregor suffered back-to-back defeats to Poirier in 2021 before taking time out to deal with his broken leg. There had been suggestions that McGregor would face off with long-term rival Nate Diaz in a trilogy bout, though the American has now been cut from the UFC's roster. Some fans have called for the Irishman to take on welterweight Jorge Masvidal given the fact McGregor now looks like he would step up a weight class. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility