Conor McGregor vows to ‘slice through’ rivals in chilling UFC return message ahead of potential February drug testing

CONOR MCGREGOR has vowed to "slice through" whoever welcomes him back to the octagon.

The Notorious is eyeing a return to action in the coming months after finally recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

McGregor, 34, has a wealth of options available to him for his comeback fight - which he plans to win in brutal fashion.

The UFC's first simultaneous two-weight world champion tweeted: “I’m going to slice through someone on return.

"Trust that. And I don’t care who. Line up.”

McGregor followed up that chilling vow with a message to anyone who wishes to share the octagon with him.

Alongside a photo of himself sitting down and looking pumped after a gruelling workout, the Irishman wrote: "Bitta cardio, ya’s’r f***ed."

UFC poster boy McGregor is hoping to return to the cage before the end of the spring.

During an impromptu Instagram Q&A last October, the Dubliner said: "I'm going to be back soon, hopefully.

"Early 2023 I'm aiming for. Sometime in that first quarter.

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"That will give me a good couple of months [to prepare].

"Once I wrap this up in a couple of days, get the camp going [for] a good couple of months.

"And get going."

McGregor must first, however, re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency's drug testing pool for a minimum of six months before he can compete again.

But a swift return could be on the cards if he's granted an exemption by the UFC and USADA - which he's seemingly eyeing.

The UFC and USADA's joint policy permits the promotion to grant an exemption to the six-month testing pool requirement in "exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to the athlete."

McGregor, however, will have to provide two negative drug tests to be eligible for the exemption.

Former heavyweight champ and WWE star Brock Lesnar used to compete at UFC 200 but it ultimately backfired as he tested positive for two banned substances after his fight with Mark Hunt.

McGregor, Ireland's first and only UFC champion, tweeted last November: “I’m clear for testing in February.

"I will complete my two tests per USADA & we are booking a fight.”