Conor McGregor may have just had a light bulb moment after listening to what Khamzat Chimaev had to say. ‘Borz,’ who is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Sean Strickland this Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, told reporters during a recent media scrum that he wants to have a boxing match with the Irishman under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

“I’m not going to move over to boxing. I will be forever a UFC fighter,” Chimaev said. “But maybe if Zuffa [Boxing] gives the chance, box with Conor, or if Conor wants to accept that. It would be nice. Why not?”

Now, ‘The Notorious’ appears to have made a statement regarding the upcoming UFC 328.

“Very excited for the Newark, New Jersey @ufc card, with my 185lb @ufc title on the line,” Conor McGregor wrote on X. “TUNE IN ON @UFConParamount 💰.”

On the surface, it may appear as though he is simply promoting an upcoming numbered UFC event. But a closer would suggest otherwise. Him saying “My 185lbs title” is either a clear response to Khamzat Chimaev’s recent callout or a revelation that he’ll be returning to the UFC in the middleweight division, or both. If that didn’t fully clarify things, his social media platform, ‘The Mac Life,’ shared the same message with an image of Chimaev. The former UFC double champion then appears to have reshared the post, seemingly owning up to the narrative.

Although McGregor has never competed in the middleweight division, he has fought across three weight classes in the UFC: featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. So, it’s anyone’s guess really what he meant by the tweet. In any case, there had been speculations that the Irishman was about to make his long-awaited comeback to the UFC.

Ariel Helwani has linked the 37-year-old to a potential bout against Max Holloway at UFC 329, though the promotion has officially confirmed nothing. Still, McGregor has re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool and continues to hint at a comeback. Adding to the optimism, Dana White recently shared a positive update regarding McGregor’s return.

“It’s looking good,” White said. “Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.”

While the fans await an official announcement, an expert has shared some bad news about McGregor’s comeback. 

Conor McGregor could return months later in New York

Despite Helwani’s report suggesting a return in July, Chael Sonnen believes McGregor’s return to action is still months away.

“I do not think he’s gonna fight International Fight Week,” Sonnen said. “I do believe that Conor wants to return… I believe November at Madison Square Garden is currently the leading proposition.”

McGregor has been sidelined since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. So, if fans have waited this long, what’s a few more months? A delayed return could allow the UFC to maximize revenue and build a blockbuster event in New York.

In any case, McGregor previously wanted to get a spot on the UFC White House card. And even claimed it was a done deal, but now we know, it wasn’t. So, take anything he says with a pinch of salt.

Conor McGregor has continued his tradition of teasing fans with a comeback. Until it actually happens or is confirmed by Dana White, it’s anyone’s guess when or if he actually returns to the UFC.