Conor McGregor's next fight confirmed by Dana White ahead of crucial court case
CONOR MCGREGOR's next opponent has been announced by UFC president Dana White.
McGregor, 29, hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since his momentous UFC 205 victory over Eddie Alvarez, a triumph which saw him become the first fighter in the promotion's history to hold two titles simultaneously.
Throughout McGregor's near-19-month long hiatus, fans have been wondering who will welcome him back to the Octagon.
UFC president Dana White answered that question during the UFC 225 post-fight press conference this past weekend.
And he revealed McGregor's first opponent since his multi-million-pound boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr will be new UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Conor McGregor Court Case: How to watch it live
When asked what was next for Nurmagomedov, White replied: “Conor.”
Fan eagerness for a fight between McGregor and Nurmagomedov has been high ever since the UFC snubbed the latter for a title shot at UFC 205 and handed it to the former.
It grew exponentially in April after McGregor's antics at the UFC 223 media day in New York, where he threw a dolly through the window of a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and his fellow fighters.
Conor McGregor goes on wild rampage during UFC media day
Conor (McGregor is next)
McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief for his actions, which left Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg with facial and eye injuries respectively.
He will appear in court on Thursday to answer for his actions.
White is planning to meet McGregor before his upcoming legal proceedings but doesn't plan on discussing the Dubliner's next fight.
"I’m not expecting to hear anything from him,” White told TSN’s Kara Wagland. “We haven’t talked since the incident.
“We’re just going to get together in a room and talk. Obviously, that’ll be before his hearing.
“So I don’t think we’re going to talk about - we’re not going to talk business.”