McGregor wants 7 fights over next 18 months

Conor McGregor isn't planning on taking an extended absence after his lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

The Irishman said he wants to compete seven times over the next 18 months.

"The truth is the fight game will never get rid of me. Conor McGregor will be here until the day I go out. So that's it. If they line me up, I'll get about seven fights in the next year and a half. That's what I want," McGregor said on "Stephen A's World," according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi.

McGregor is targeting multiple fights early in the year.

"I've got four fights left on this contract with the UFC. I'd do it in the first quarter of 2021 if they give me the dates," he added.

McGregor's main-event contest against Poirier will be his first fight since last January's TKO victory over Donald Cerrone. Over the last year, McGregor has been involved in a dispute with UFC president Dana White and even announced a temporary retirement.

The 32-year-old fighter has also engaged in a war of words with Khabib Nurmagomedov over his rival's recent retirement. McGregor predicted Nurmagomedov will have his lightweight title stripped after UFC 257 but remains interested in a rematch.

"The world knows this war is not over. So much has gone on, so much has happened in the aftermath of the bout, all across the board, even up to now. The fight must take place," McGregor said.

"If he wants to keep running, he can keep running," he added. "That's why I'm back here at 155 pounds. I've got an array of opponents to choose from. I know Dana, as am I, as am his manager are pressing to get back in there. If he doesn't, that's it, what can you do. It is what it is, we move on."