UFC boss Dana White said he anticipates Conor McGregor (36) will return to the Octagon in "early 2025."
McGregor hasn't fought since sustaining a broken leg in a July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
The Irishman had to pull out of a fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June due to a broken toe.
McGregor, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, had been campaigning to fight at UFC 310 in Las Vegas in December.
Speaking to the New York Post ahead of Saturday's 'Noche UFC' event, White confirmed that McGregor will not make his comeback before the end of this year.
"Let me tell you this, I was the one this year saying I don't think he's going to fight this year, amid all the talk and everything else," White said.
"Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025."