'IT'S YOU'
Conor McGregor announces opponent for UFC return days after Dana White breaks silence on assault case
The Notorious made the announcement during a late-night X spree
CONOR MCGREGOR has appeared to announce the opponent for his UFC return - just days after the promotion offered its first comment on his recent civil court case.
McGregor, 36, was last month found liable to have assaulted Nikita Hand at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin in December 2018.
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The MMA superstar was accused of "raping and battering" Ms Hand on the day in question - an accusation he's vehemently denied.
The ruling cast serious doubt over his fighting future, although UFC supremo Dana White recently left the door open for him to return to the octagon.
And just days after seemingly being given a career lifeline, McGregor announced that he'll be throwing down with fellow favourite Michael Chandler.
In response to a tweet from his rival TUF 31 coach reminding him of his vow to make him his 20th professional KO, he replied: “It’s you!
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"Rest up and I’ll see you at the top. @DanaWhite #manofword."
In a late-night X posting spree, 'The Notorious' also said: "Here's the truth that will hurt all the wannabe nobodies.
"Fighting was too easy for me. I done it all by 27 years old.
"Anywhere. Any weight. Anytime. Dana knows."
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McGregor was set to face Chandler at UFC 303 in June but was forced out of their long-overdue showdown with a broken toe.
Their prolonged punch-up seemingly fell by the wayside after last month's civil ruling, which he's vowed to appeal.
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But the prospect of him fighting in MMA's top promotion wasn't ruled out by White this past weekend.
When pressed for comment in the UFC 310 post-fight press conference, White said: "What do you mean what's my reaction?
“If I had a comment I would have put it out already.
"He hasn't been fighting here in how long? If he does fight, it’ll be sometime next year.”
Former two-weight world champion McGregor was ordered to pay Ms Hand £206,000 (€250,000) in damages as a result of the ruling, which he's hellbent on overturning.
"People want to hear from me," he wrote on X. "I needed time. I know I made mistakes.
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"I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.
"I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.
"I can’t go back and I will move forward.
"I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.
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"That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym - the fight game awaits!"
McGregor hasn't set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier three-and-a-half years ago.
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