UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor made his pro boxing debut this past August, suffering a tenth round TKO loss to Floyd Mayweather.
John Kavanagh is the coach of McGregor and he has been pushing for the Irishman to return MMA, instead of boxing again.
?You want to know my opinion?? said Kavanagh to BBC Sport. ?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 so if I have anything to do with it, he?ll be in the octagon this year."
McGregor hasn?t been seen in the Octagon since defeating Eddie Alvarez to win the UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 205.
Even though McGregor has received criticism for not defending the lightweight title, one thing he still says is that the fighter is still the rightful UFC Lightweight Champion.
?Conor?s still the champion,? said Kavanagh. ?He can says what he wants but I have his belt at home. He?s still the champion. He?s making the decision on what makes sense for the next move but it?s kind of early days yet. We?re just watching how that has developed while he?s been away. Let?s see what happens in 2018. I?m excited about it.?
The UFC Lightweight Champion did recently say an MMA fight would be next for him, but declined to give a time frame as to when that could happen.