UFC boss Dana White believes Conor McGregor could come out of retirement next year if the right fight presents itself.

McGregor announced his departure from the sport last month - the third time he has done so in four years.

And while White accepts that right now he is not an active fighter, he refuses to rule out what could change in the future.

He said: "As of right now, he's retired.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out and wanted to fight somebody next year after all these different fights play out."

McGregor beat Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in just 40 seconds back in January in what was his first bout for more than a year.

But with the coronavirus pandemic disrupting everyone’s plans, the Irishman became irritated by how long he may have to wait for a fight and decided to call it a day.

Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov are due to fight one another in September to decide the undisputed lightweight champion.

McGregor has persistently called for a rematch with Khabib having been beaten by him in October 2018.

And he has also called out Gaethje for a fight in the past, so the winner of that clash would likely be the one McGregor targets if he comes out of retirement again.