Dana White believes that Conor McGregor could be back in the octagon this summer, with an international fight week bout at UFC 276 possible.
The massive pay-per-view event will see the return of the UFC's tradition with a week of fan-centric events that culminates in a big marquee fight.
And with McGregor currently on the mend from his broken leg, there is a chance that he could return to the cage in time for the big event in Las Vegas.
He suffered the horror injury during his bout last July at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier when he stepped back awkwardly from a kick forcing the fight to be stopped between the first and second round.
But he could be back within a year of that injury, assuming he can be cleared by doctors in time for the show, which takes place on July 2.
"I think so, yeah," White responded when asked by TMZ if McGregor would be back within this year.
"He's doing all the right things with his leg. I'm hoping he can come back this summer."
McGregor has been enjoying his time off in recent months, spending a lot of time at his Dublin pub The Black Forge Inn, which was allowed to open to full capacity at its regular hours last weekend after coronavirus restrictions in Ireland were lifted.
The Irishman didn't let that time go to waste, dining with fans, friends and his family until closing time on Saturday night.
He has tacked on considerable weight during his time off, at one point weighing as high as 195lb; almost three-stone heavier than his weigh-in for fighting Poirier last summer.
But he hasn't stopped training, posting frequent workout videos and photos showing him doing whatever exercises he is allowed to do given the severity of his injury.
And he has never missed weight in his career, even during the early part of his UFC run where he had a torturous cut to 145lb to fight at featherweight.
He has been angling for an immediate title shot against Charles Oliveira, despite losing three of his last four bouts in the promotion.
And his teammate Peter Queally has said that he expects McGregor to not only get the controversial fight, but win and reclaim the lightweight world title.
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"It sounds like the belt might happen next to be honest," Queally told Mirror Fighting in an exclusive chat last month.
"Normally in this sport, when you've got two fighters that want the same thing, that's what happens.
"So Charles wants this fight with Conor, Conor wants this fight with Charles and normally that's what happens especially if there's money to be made, which there is.
"For sure he can beat Charles, obviously it's not ideal to be out that long with an injury.
"But you know Conor and what he can do, Charles has shown himself to be somebody that is a brilliant fighter but someone who gets hit.
"I always say that if you're a fighter that gets hit against Conor, it's bad news for you!
"So I can see him winning that fight - of course it would be ideal if he hadn't broke his leg and he was coming back from it, but these are things you have to deal with.
"But that looks like the fight there's going to be!"
