The UFC star is still one of the biggest names in combat sports despite not having fought for three years and revealed that he has been working closely with Alalshikh on some "big announcements" about him competing in the Middle East and a possible return to boxing.

McGregor told talkSPORT: "Turki is the man. His Excellency is the man. He's had the shaking of the combat sports world.

"He's been mending rivalries and making business happen in the industry.

"We are all in debt to that man and I have a very good personal relationship with him.

"I've got some big announcements for myself in the Saudi region. I was on a call with him only yesterday.

"We have some big, big things coming up including in the boxing realm as well."

'The Notorious' recently claimed that he could make his return to the UFC against Dan Hooker in February and it is a fight that appeals to his rival.

Hooker said: "Yeah, it’s a fight that makes a lot of sense for him. It makes a lot of sense for me.

"We’re obviously both keen on the fight, but I don’t know what’s going on for him behind the scenes, and I don’t know what’s going on with him and the UFC and their relationship. That’s all I can say.

"I’m fighting early next year. I told the UFC either January or March, and it will be someone in the top five, or Conor McGregor.

"He’ll get to talk to Hunter and Sean so I’m sure by the end of this weekend, or when he comes back from Saudi Arabia, I’ll have my next fight penciled in."