FILE - In this April 6, 2018 file photo, Ultimate fighting star Conor McGregor, center, is escorted by New York Court Police officers after a hearing at the Brooklyn Criminal Court. Photo / AP.
UFC president Dana White has confirmed Conor McGregor will make his return to the sport this year against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Irishman hasn't stepped into the Octagon since 2016 but will face Nurmagomedov for the lightweight strap at UFC 229 on October 6.
It was widely tipped McGregor's return bout
would be against Nurmagomedov and while neither man was present at a press conference in Las Vegas on Saturday (AEST) to promote UFC 229, White delivered the news fight fans have been waiting for.
"They're not here, unfortunately," White said. "But the fight is done. October, Las Vegas. It's on, ladies and gentlemen."
The explosive showdown will have extra meaning to it in light of McGregor's sickening rampage ahead of UFC 223 in April. "The Notorious" attacked a bus full of fighters in Brooklyn, throwing a metal trolley at the windows, in retaliation for Nurmagomedov and his entourage squaring off with McGregor's training partner Artem Lobov earlier in the week.
