Don’t expect Conor McGregor to end his hiatus for another year, per UFC CEO Dana White

The long wait for Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon continues.

McGregor hasn’t had a pro MMA fight since 2021. While he was scheduled to face Michael Chandler earlier this year, the “Notorious” one pulled out due to an injury. Chandler went on to face Charles Oliveira in a losing effort at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden.

While many are wondering if Chandler’s opportunity to fight McGregor has faded or if his efforts in the final round against “do Bronx” have kept hope alive, McGregor won’t be ending his hiatus in the near future.

RELATED: DANA WHITE GIVES DISCOURAGING UPDATE ON CONOR MCGREGOR’S PLANNED UFC COMEBACK

Conor McGregor Won’t End Hiatus For Another Year

During the UFC 309 post-fight press conference, Dana White was asked if he’s still interested in rebooking Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler. White gave another disappointing update to fans of “Mystic Mac.”

“Conor’s gonna come back in late ’25,” White said. “So, there’s a lot of time before we can figure out who’s gonna fight Conor.”

Prior to UFC 309, White was a guest on “The Jim Rome Show.” White gave a similar update on McGregor, but it sounded more like a prediction than a definitive time frame.

“I think Conor and Chandler both like that fight. 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 revealed.

“That’s why everybody was so excited about it. Chandler and Conor McGregor is a fun fight.” (h/t MMA Fighting).

With McGregor continuing to miss time as an active competitor, one has to wonder how he will look when he returns to fighting. Stipe Miocic, who hadn’t been in a UFC fight since 2021, challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Heavyweight Championship this past Saturday. Miocic looked as if he’d lost a step, while Jones was just as cerebral as he’s ever been. Following a third-round TKO loss, Miocic announced his retirement.