McGregor says he'll fight again, claims he volunteered to step in at UFC 222

Conor McGregor has put the ball in the UFC's court - again.

The lightweight champion reiterated his desire to return to the Octagon in a Thursday Instagram post and claimed he threw his hat in the ring to face Frankie Edgar on short notice at UFC 222 on March 3 when an injury to Max Holloway briefly left the bill without a headliner:

I am fighting again. Period. I am the best at this. I put my name forward to step in at UFC 222 to face Frankie Edgar when Max Holloway pulled out, but I was told there wasn't enough time to generate the money that the UFC would need. I was excited about bouncing in last minute and taking out the final featherweight, without all the rest of the stuff that comes with this game. Please respect the insane amount of work outside the fight game that I have put in. On top of the fighting. I am here. It is on them to come and get me. Because I am here. Yours sincerely, The Champ Champ™

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Feb 22, 2018 at 11:58am PST

According to the Irishman, booking him to face Edgar - "the final featherweight" - at the 11th hour wouldn't have been financially tenable for the promotion, although Edgar's manager Ali Abdelaziz has since told ESPN's Brett Okamoto word of the matchup never reached their ears.

UFC president Dana White has repeatedly questioned whether McGregor aims to fight again after he pocketed nine figures for his August boxing match opposite Floyd Mayweather, but it appears the self-proclaimed "champ champ" has grown tired of the speculation, punctuating his stance by claiming "it is on (the UFC) to come and get me."

The Dubliner has remained noncommittal on his next move since he and Mayweather met, and hasn't seen the inside of the Octagon in over 15 months. He now holds the UFC record for the longest reign without recording a single title defense.