Conor McGregor will likely return for his next fight in autumn, Dana White tells talkSPORT, after rumours of Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz bouts

Conor McGregor will likely return to the Octagon this autumn, UFC president Dana White has told talkSPORT.

The Irishman is said to be coming towards the end of his recovery after breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier last year.

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And, despite McGregor wanting to be back fighting in the summer, his boss believes it will be slightly later in 2022 fans will see the former champion back fighting.

There have been rumours the 33-year-old may fight either Nate Diaz or Poirier again, with YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul also keen to take on the superstar - either in the octagon or in the boxing ring.

But White suggested the winner of the title fight between Justin Gaethje and lightweight champion Charles Oliveira on 7 May could be McGregor's next opponent later this year.

White told talkSPORT: "I'm not worried about [finding McGregor an opponent] because, first of all, Conor is not even fighting right now.

"He's not back until the fall [autumn] - if everything goes right. So a lot of the match-ups will play out this summer and whoever wins or loses, when Conor is cleared by a doctor and ready to go, we'll figure out who's next."

McGregor, himself, is keen to compete again this year, but the Irishman insists he will not rush himself back until he's fully healed.

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McGregor said earlier this year: "I've got to take it day by day. April they said I'd be back sparring, back twisting and turning.

"I was told I could box a couple of months back and then all of sudden, I couldn't box.

"So I'm just taking it day by day, there's no rush. I'm in a great place mentally.

"Physically, I feel strong, I feel energetic. I'm always eager to get in and fight, so [I'll] just take it day by day and it'll happen.

"It will happen when the Lord wants it to happen."