Dana White compares Conor McGregor to Rocky Balboa ahead of 'greatest comeback of all time'

The MMA fighter is currently in training ahead of what he claimed will be the “greatest sports comeback of all time.”

He is planning to return to the ring in April 2022.

McGregor has been away from the sport since he broke his leg during a match with Dustin Porier in July this year.

Appearing on The Jim Rome Podcast, Dana White compared Conor’s return to the UFC to Sylvester Stallone’s storyline in Rocky 3.

"Yeah he's chomping at the bit to get back in there and compete again. But it's gonna be a while before he can put some torque on that leg," he said.

"For him to start training again in April is probably about right.”

"I don't know, he obviously still has the desire to compete. You don't ever hear Conor going 'you know what, I just don't have the desire for this anymore."

"Yes, obviously he is very rich and he's training like Rocky in Rocky III, but he still has the desire to compete and the desire to fight."

In the 1982 movie Rocky III, boxing star Rocky Balboa struggles to deal with his fame and fortune. After losing a match to Clubber Lang, the sportsman hits an all time low before he picks himself back up to avenge his loss and win back the heavyweight title.

Taking to Instagram in November, McGregor shared a video of his first time back training: “What a buzz,” he said.

“I’ll be back, bitches! Back with a vengeance! Thank you to all my doctors and my team for getting me this far so soon after surgery!”

"There is work to be done but doing work is what I’m known for. Strap yourselves in for the greatest comeback in sports history!”

The 33-year-old has two fights remaining on his UFC contract.

During a recent fan Q&A on Twitter, McGregor revealed that his injury is “fully healed.”

“The fibula is fully healed. The medial side of the tibia is developing nice callous also. It is just patience now for it to form down through the bone to the lateral side of the tibia where the larger break occurred,” he said.

“It’s getting there. Patience will win this race for me.”

He also spoke about UFC and said he would love to be with them “for life” after a fan asked if the Dublin man had any plans to start his own promotion.

“I have two fights left on my contract. I’d love to be with the UFC for life. I am the UFC! We shall see.”

McGregor no doubt has his eye on climbing back up the UFC's lightweight top 10 fighters after slipping down the rankings from fourth to seventh place