Irish fighting star Conor McGregor's return to competition has finally been confirmed.
Conor McGregor with his two UFC belts. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The UFC announced on Saturday (NZ time) McGregor will face undefeated Russian mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov for the world lightweight championship in Las Vegas on October 7.
McGregor hasn't competed since losing a boxing contest to American star Floyd Mayweather Jr in August last year.
Last week, the Irishman avoided jail time when he pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct after an incident at a UFC event in New York in April.
Video appeared to show McGregor throwing a metal hand trolley at a bus carrying athletes and employees following a media event ahead of UFC 223.
The 30-year-old cut a deal with the Brooklyn District Attorney's office which meant he would not have a criminal record and his travel visa would not be affected.
However, he was required to five days of community service, attend an anger management program and pay full damages to the bus company.
The tension ahead of McGregor's comeback fight is expected to be significant, given Nurmagomedov was on the bus which was attacked by the Irish star and others in April.
Earlier that week, Nurmagomedov was filmed confronting McGregor's friend and training partner, Artem Lobov, at a hotel.
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since November, 2016, when he beat Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight championship and become the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously.
During his hiatus from the organisation, McGregor was stripped of both the lightweight and featherweight championships.
- RNZ
