Conor McGregor has been teasing an octagon return for years, and it appears that it could be just around the corner.

McGregor's Long Absence

The former two-division UFC champion hasn't fought since UFC 264 in July 2021 when he lost to Dustin Poirier after suffering a gruesome leg injury. It was his second consecutive loss to "The Diamond," and the Irishman has been on the sidelines since.

The 37-year-old was scheduled to make the walk to the octagon at UFC 303 in July 2024 against Michael Chandler but pulled out of the event citing a toe injury. The whispers around a McGregor return have grown louder over the last year with the announcement of the UFC White House event. He is not competing on the UFC Freedom 250 fight card, but there is chatter about him returning during International Fight Week.

McGregor's Social Media Update

Over the weekend, McGregor gave a positive update on a potential return via social media along with a series of training photos.

"Legs still sharper than a guillotine," McGregor wrote on Instagram. "Training with the young wolves, sharpening the blade. The return is coming whether they like it or not."

McGregor Remains the Sport's Biggest Star

Despite having not won a fight since early 2020, McGregor remains the sport's biggest star. The highest selling UFC pay-per-view event is UFC 229, which McGregor headlined against former lightweight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov. The top five highest-selling UFC pay-per-views all have McGregor at the top of the bill.

UFC 329 Expected to Feature McGregor's Return

The main event of UFC 329 on July 11 is still being slated as Conor McGregor's return, with Max Holloway currently in the running as a potential opponent.

Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis Expected on Same Card

Paddy Pimblett's latest hint about his upcoming fight all but gives away that he is taking on Benoit Saint-Denis on the same card. After competing for the interim lightweight title back in January, Pimblett is beginning his ascent back up the division at UFC 329 on July 11.

It has been speculated that the co-main event will feature Pimblett against Saint-Denis. In his new YouTube video, Pimblett begins training camp with coaches noting that he is around 12 weeks out from his next fight. At the very end, he jokes that he will allow the UFC to announce his next opponent and won't ruin the surprise. However, he does so while wearing a beret, with a necklace of garlic and eating a baguette — clearly implying a French opponent.

Pimblett is coming off his first loss under the UFC banner against Justin Gaethje after being steadily built for the better part of half a decade en route to a shot at the gold. He is now taking a fight where he is the underdog for the first time in the octagon.