Boxing: Conor McGregor taking 10 month break from UFC

Conor McGregor is confident he could make a successful transition to boxing. Photo / Getty

Conor McGregor is taking a 10 month break from the UFC in order to spend time with his family, according to UFC boss Dana White.

McGregor and his girlfriend Dee Devlin are currently expecting their first child together.

The Irish fighter was rumoured to be considering a long break from the sport in order to help her through the pregnancy and UFC president White has now confirmed McGregor will be out of action for most of next year.

Speaking on his decision to strip McGregor of the UFC featherweight title, White told UFC Unfiltered: 'That belt hadn't been defended in almost a year and Conor is taking another 10 months off for maternity.

"It's not fair on the rest of the guys in that division."

Earlier this week, White also confirmed that McGregor will appear in the next season of HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones.

The Dubliner had been linked with a role in the show after sparring with Hafpor Julius Bjornsson - aka The Mountain - in a video last year.

"I knew that a few months ago that they were interested in putting him in the show," White told Fox Sports.

"And I'm glad he did it. It'll be great."