Conor McGregor back in the gym and likely to return to UFC, according to trainer John Kavanagh
Irishman was threatened with having his lightweight title stripped from him but now looks set to defend it in his next fight
CONOR McGREGOR is back in training and ready for a successful 2018 — with trainer John Kavanagh admitting it will probably be in the UFC.
The MMA superstar looks set to return to the Octagon this year to defend his lightweight title after turning his hand to boxing last year.
There is still the chance McGregor could try and have another go at the sweet science and Kavanagh admitted McGregor is assessing the best plan for himself.
Kavanagh told the BBC: “I’m just happy to see him back, regular training, he had a lot going on in his life - a lot of stuff outside of fighting, he seems to be getting the hang of all that and now he’s just back training almost everyday now.
“I think 2018 will be another big year for us, exactly what that is - I don’t know yet, the plan is forming."
UFC president Dana White claimed McGgregor could lose his belt having not fought since beating Eddie Alvarez in November 2016, but Kavanagh dismissed the claims saying McGregor was the person who would make all the decisions.
Kavanagh, responding to White’s comments saying the UFC star might be stripped of his title should he not schedule a fight soon, said: “Conor is still the champion, they can say what they want, I have his belt at home actually, he’s still the champion.
"He's making the decision on what makes sense for the next move."
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Kavanagh added: “Lets see what happens in 2018 I’m excited about it, if you want to know my opinion, I’ll be pushing very hard for MMA.
“The boxing was a nice detour from what we’ve done but mixed martial arts is my passion - if I have anything to do with it, he’ll be in the octagon this year."