Conor McGregor will return to the octagon to fight former opponent Dustin Poirier, 31, intended to be branded as a rematch of a 2014 fight between the two. The Irish fighter is reported to have signed the contract and the match is scheduled for 23 January, The MacLife reported.
The previous bout between two was UFC 178, in which the Irish fighter won by a technical knockout. The rematch will be McGregor's first fight in over a year.
According to the report, both mixed martial artists will fight at a weight of slightly over 70 kg (155 lbs). The match could take place in Abu Dhabi, according to industry insiders, although the final location is not yet announced.
In an October tweet announcing the fight with Poirier, McGregor suggested that, after this match, he would like to compete with professional boxer Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor’s most recent occupation of the Octagon, UFC 246, took place in January. The match lasted for only 40 seconds, and McGregor won by a technical knockout. In June, he announced another retirement from the sport, which, as many fans predicted, turned out to again be temporary.