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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Conor McGregor confirms boxing ambitions as UFC star steps up recovery

Conor McGregor 's comeback fight will take place in the UFC but he still plans to have another boxing match in the future.

McGregor is in the final stages of recovering from a broken tibia he sustained in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier last July. He will undergo a CT scan on his compromised leg in the coming days but expects he should now be able to throw kicks with it.

The UFC star will hope for a better 2022 campaign after suffering back-to-back defeats by Poirier last year. McGregor attended the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend and revealed he plans to have another boxing fight.

"Boxing is my first love in combat sports," McGregor told Sky Sports. "I had such a great time the last time I was out there. Obviously, my return will be in the octagon for UFC. That story is far from over, in fact it's just being written. It is just the beginning but boxing, for sure, I will grace the squared circle again in the future."

Who should Conor McGregor fight in his boxing return? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

The former two-weight UFC champion crossed over to boxing in 2017 when he fought Floyd Mayweather. Billed 'The Money Fight', McGregor was stopped in the 10th round as Mayweather improved to 50-0 and subsequently retired from boxing. The fight was a huge success, selling 4.3 million pay-per-view buys.

McGregor is without a UFC win in over two years, last stopping Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds at UFC 246. The Irishman says his body is feeling good after over six months away from competition.

"The body is doing good," McGregor continued. "We are going to up the training bit by bit. I have another CT scan in the coming days and then I will be clear to kick. Once I can kick and grapple, I will be back in no time. Boxing training is going well, strength training. I am excited to get back."

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather fought in 2017 (Getty Images)

McGregor is hoping to make history - again - on his UFC return, calling out welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the hopes of becoming the promotion's first-ever three-weight champion.

The Irishman has already held the featherweight and lightweight titles. Speaking with The Mac Life, he said: "Myself versus Usman for the 170-pound title in my comeback fight is the one I'm eyeballing at the minute.

"Why cut the weight? I've already won the 155-pound title. I got myself to a lightweight frame, but I'm big now. I feel big. I feel strong. I feel healthy. I've got good energy. I'm coming back from a gruesome injury. I don't want to be depleting myself. There should be no need to deplete myself."

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