White: McGregor won't fight in 2024

Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon has been pushed back to 2025.

"We talked. He wants to fight. We'll figure it out," UFC CEO Dana White told reporters Tuesday, per MMA Junkie. "Not this year. He won't fight this year."

White didn't provide further details about the latest delay.

McGregor was slated to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June for his comeback bout but was forced out due to a toe injury.

The 36-year-old McGregor implored the UFC to schedule a fight before the end of the year in a since-deleted tweet, highlighting December as his new target for a return. Chandler responded to him on social media.

McGregor said in July that he'd fight in "'24 for sure."

"I talked to Dana today about our new date, all looking good," the former two-division champion said at the time.

Although McGregor floated the possibility of returning in August and October, the promotion dismissed the possibility of his return in each instance. A featherweight title match between challenger Max Holloway and champion Ilia Topuria will headline UFC 308 on Oct. 26.

McGregor hasn't competed since sustaining a significant leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

It's unclear if Chandler, who hasn't fought since 2022, will continue to wait for his opportunity to fight McGregor. The former Bellator champion has entertained the idea of exploring other options if a fight with the Irishman doesn't materialize.

"I've always felt that if the Conor fight didn't happen, I'm going to be just fine, and I will put butts in seats, and I will sell pay-per-views, and I will entertain the entire world when I step inside the Octagon," Chandler said recently, per MMA Junkie's Simon Samano.