The UFC trying to get Conor McGregor back into the Octagon has been a chore, to say the least, but it looks like that could get done pretty soon.

McGregor, the former two-division UFC champion, has been out-of-action since November of 2016 when he captured the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. It was the most historic moment in the history of the promotion.

The Irishman is holding out for a big payday if he does decide to return, and that could come a lot sooner rather than later. Dave Meltzer reports that McGregor and the UFC aren't too far off on coming to an agreement.

It's a deal that would potentially see McGregor fight twice in 2018. Here's what Meltzer had to say about the situation (quotes via Bloody Elbow):

“The word is that negotiations with Conor McGregor are going well,” the veteran reporter wrote.

“No deal to return has been inked but they are said to be not so far apart and are in talks about him doing two fights in 2018.

“All the pub right now is Mayweather under MMA rules but I can’t see Mayweather agreeing to that, even though it’s huge money,” Meltzer noted.

“The UFC fight idea is the winner of Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov”

Although McGregor currently reigns as the 155-pound champion of the world, a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson is scheduled to go down this April to crown a new champion.

UFC President Dana White recently revealed that he will actually be stripping McGregor of the lightweight belt. When McGregor does return he will likely fight the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson.

What are your thoughts on Meltzer saying that Conor McGregor and the UFC are nearing a deal that will bring the Irishman back for two fights in 2018? Do you think that a deal will finally be struck to get McGregor back? And who do you think McGregor would fight if a deal does end up returning to the Octagon? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below!

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