Conor McGregor could be set for a comeback before the end of the year.
That's the verdict of training partner Peter Queally who says it is "very realistic" that the Notorious could be back in the octagon in 2019.
McGregor hasn't fought since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October last year, but it has been rumoured that he will return to the UFC within the next five months.
Speaking on Tuesday at a press conference for Bellator 227 in Dublin on September 27, Queally told the Irish Mirror: "[A fight by the end of the year] is realistic.
"He's been struggling a little bit with a hand injury, which has been well documented in the media, so it's hard to tell, but it's definitely realistic that he will fight by the end of the year.
"If he wants to fight by the end of the year, he will fight by the end of the year."
When asked if he gets the feeling from McGregor that a 2019 bout will happen, Queally replied "Yes."
Queally owns the Naas branch of John Kavanagh's SBG Ireland where Conor trains.
Sources close to the camp have revealed to Irish Mirror that McGregor is 'hellbent' on returning before the new year.
The source said: "There was suggestion Conor might never fight again. That looked a real possibility with at all he has going on outside the Octagon at the minute.
"But that has slowly changed recently and Conor is now hellbent on fighting again before the end of the year.
"With him being the draw he is, there are endless possibilities for him - across both boxing and MMA - but he wants Khabib in a rematch... He feels he has the beating of the Russian.
"There is also [Nate] Diaz 3, Tony Ferguson, Poirier rematch. He won't be shy of offers and he has that fire there to jump into the cage again. It's just in his nature."
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