Peter Queally is confident Conor McGregor will return in September.

The Bellator lightweight fighter is a long-time teammate of McGregor, who was supposed to make his eagerly anticipated comeback at UFC 303 on June 29.

Queally was looking forward to McGregor vs Chandler as much as MMA fansCredit: Getty

‘Notorious’ has been out injured for three years, but he seemed to be firing on all cylinders before Dana White announced that his fight with Michael Chandler is off.

The UFC boss blamed the postponement on an ailment McGregor is suffering with and it’s currently unclear what the issue is.

Queally knows exactly what derailed the UFC legend’s return. Even though he doesn’t want to spill the beans, the 39-year-old suggested it’s not serious by revealing a new potential date for McGregor vs Chandler.

“I do and I’ll keep it to myself,” Queally told talkSPORT MMA when asked if he had any inside information on the injury that derailed UFC 303.

“It seems like they will endeavour to make that fight in September time.

“Something like that maybe. That’s what I’m hearing.

“That’s what you can look forward to if they can make it happen.”

Queally, who has travelled the world watching his friend fight over the years, was gutted on multiple levels about McGregor’s comeback falling through.

Queally was by McGregor’s side during his rise to the topCredit: @peterqueally – x

And he’ll be there whenever McGregor make his comebackCredit: @peterqueally – instagram

He added: “I’m so disappointed.

“Obviously, I’m his friend. You didn’t want to see a guy experiencing anything bad who you are friends or close with.

“Just as a fan, I was looking forward to going out, enjoying the week in [Las] Vegas, going to the fight and taking in everything that is a Conor fight.

“There’s nothing like it on Earth. Anyone who hasn’t been to one, I’d save your pennies, go, and try to experience that.

“It’s pretty crazy. I’ve been lucky to have been at all of them.

“That’s what I was looking forward to and that’s what I’m most disappointed about. I just wanted to be involved again and experience that another time.”

McGregor’s injury woes continue to keep him away from MMACredit: Getty

Queally has his own health issue but insists they’ll both fight again soonCredit: @thenotoriousmma – instagram

McGregor has won one fight since 2016 and hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

The 35-year-old insists he’ll mount the greatest sporting comeback of all time, but some are questioning if he’ll be able to return to the top due to his age, injury issues and vast wealth.

Queally sees no reason why McGregor can’t become a world champion again.

‘The Showstopper’ insists that if McGregor does return anywhere close to his peak, he’ll make quick work of Chandler when they finally face off in the Octagon.

Queally concluded: “There’s no reason why he can’t get back to that level.”

“If he can find that form again, this is an easy fight. If you had a time machine and you brought McGregor back to 2016 – at his peak – and he fought someone with Chandler’s skillset, this is a one-round demolition.

“If he can get that form back, I think we are going to see something special.”

Queally, who is known for his iconic ‘Zombie’ walkout, will be in the commentary booth when Bellator returns to Dublin for a massive show at the 3Arena on Saturday night.

McGregor has a habit of showing up when the UFC’s greatest rival comes to his hometown, and he might do so again now that his camp is on hold.