Conor McGregor's comeback in the UFC may get pushed until later in the year

• It is unclear when Conor McGregor will return to the UFC's Octagon.
• He broke his leg last summer, and a fight around July, this year, had been on the cards.

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor's comeback in the UFC may get pushed until later in the year.

The former two-weight UFC champion was rumored to headline the biggest event of the market-leading MMA promotion's year — International Fight Week, which culminates with a pay-per-view show on July 3 in Las Vegas.

It would mark almost an entire year since the Irishman's last fight, which was his second successive defeat to Dustin Poirier.

McGregor suffered a nasty leg break and was ruled out of action after one round. He hurled obscenities during an unhinged rant, was stretchered out of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and taken to hospital.

At the time, UFC boss Dana White said fight fans might not see McGregor fight for another year.

And, for a long time, it looked like he was going to be proven right.

However, recently, it appears the 33-year-old will be out of action for even longer.

"When Conor is able to come back, we'll see," if he is thrust into a title shot contention, said White recently to Canadian broadcaster The Sports Network.

Insider reported previously that McGregor's comeback options were becoming increasingly limited as two possible bouts — Poirier for a fourth fight or a Nate Diaz trilogy — appear scuppered as Poirier and Diaz talk about a bout between themselves, instead.

But if McGregor had eyes on a championship bout only, then he may well be waiting to see how Charles Oliveira's upcoming title defense plays out May 7 against Justin Gaethje.

"Conor's probably not going to be back until the early fall," White said. "So we'll see who's where and what's what, how it lays out."

He continued: "Who has the title has a lot of say in who he fights, too."

Should Oliveira extend his winning run at Gaethje's expense, then McGregor's wish for an immediate championship bout may come true.

Oliveira recently told MMA website Sherdog that he, McGregor, and "the world," want to see that fight.

"Let's make it happen," said Oliveira. "It may be in welterweight, lightweight, or middleweight, with my title on the line, or not. Just choose and I'll be ready."

McGregor aims to begin sparring in April

McGregor's timeline for recovery may be more optimistic.

Speaking to The Mirror at a Bellator MMA event in Dublin, last month, the fighter even said he'll be taking part in sparring sessions in April — and so he could, in theory, be prepared for battle in July.

"It's getting there, we'll see how it happens and how it shakes out," McGregor said. "April I should be back sparring, I'll gauge it all then — I'd like a title, a title, I'd feel a belt."

On which weight class he wants to return to, McGregor said: "We'll see what happens with the weight, I'm feeling nice and strong, I'm getting there day-by-day.

"I'm only 33 years of age, I'm unscathed, never been bust-up in the face, never scratched in the face … so I'll be back."

Regardless of when McGregor does return, he'll be in desperate need of a victory as he's only won once in his last four pro MMA bouts.

Inclusive of boxing, he's lost five of his last six fights.