Conor McGregor has revealed that he is eyeing up a potential summer return as he continues to build up his fight fitness.
The Crumlin man is recovering from a horror leg injury sustained in his second loss to Dustin Poirier last July.
But the UFC star is hoping to get back sparring come April ahead of a potential title fight in the summer.
Speaking at Friday's Bellator Dublin event at the 3Arena, where he was in attendance to support teammates Sinead Kavanagh and Lee Hammond, McGregor said "soon" when asked about a comeback date. "It's getting there, we'll see how it happens and how it shakes out.
"April I should be back sparring, I'll gauge it all then - I'd like a title, a title, I'd feel a belt."
"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.
"I'm advised to take it easy, but I'm shadow boxing a lot and I'm figuring out what way I'm developing a style."
He explained that he wants a shot at Charles Oliveira's lightweight title on his comeback, despite coming off two losses to Poirier last year and just one win since 2016.
But the UFC legend also refused to rule out a future fight with YouTube star Jake Paul while mocking his poor PPV sales.
Asked if he watched Paul's rematch with Tyron Woodley in December, he said "I wasn't actually watching it.
"It only did a couple of thousand buys, I didn't actually watch it I saw it online so no I didn't see it.
"I don't pay attention to that stuff."
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