CONOR McGREGOR has been backed to make a successful return to the UFC by one of the promotion’s all-time greats.
The 35-year-old has not stepped foot in the cage since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier back in July 2021.
Conor McGregor is still training for a return to the UFC
Instagram/thenotoriousmmaHe shared video of him sparring to Instagram[/caption]
The footage appeared to impress UFC legend Jon Jones
He is due to return against fellow lightweight star Michael Chandler, against whom he went up as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.
There is no date for the fight, but the Dubliner has still been working out in the gym in preparation for a potential return.
The Notorious showcased his boxing skills in a video shared to Instagram, in which he could be seen sparring with a partner.
It appeared to impress Jon Jones, the former UFC light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion and one of MMA’s all-time greatest fighters.
He commented: “McGregor looking smooth with it”
McGregor used a variety of Instagram training clips to tease that he had reentered the USADA testing pool.
Rules dictate that any fighter has to be in the testing pool for six months before stepping into the octagon.
However, the Irishman has not been in it since breaking his leg against Poirier, a status that remains at time of writing.
For any athlete to return, they must complete six months worth of random USADA testing before being eligible to fight.
And McGregor shared a cryptic Instagram post which appeared to say he has submitted tests to the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky.
He said: “Find my targets. Hit them. F*** the consequences. You’re going down. This is fighting. Sparring day with slick @grozdevnikolay.
“Always a banger of a spar with the slick fella. Submitted my stuff to Novitzky. Ball rolling see you soon you little light work bitch.”
If he is back in the pool, he would be eligible to return to the octagon in April.
It could tie in perfectly with the historic UFC 300 bill which does not yet have a confirmed date either.
Chandler has also faced frustration with the lack of clarity over the bout but he insisted if McGregor returns it will be against him.
He said on The MMA Hour: “The status is, unequivocally, the fight is still happening.
“The fight is not booked for a date, the fight is not booked for a venue, but the fight is booked between Chandler and Conor.
“There’s no way Conor comes back and doesn’t fight me. If Conor doesn’t fight me, he’s probably just not coming back, and that’s out of my control. He’s coming back, he’s fighting me.”
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