Conor McGregor has applauded Israel Adesanya's decision to take time before his next fight, but also saddled a shock sledge against Aussie UFC star Alexander Volkanovski at the same time.

Volkanovski is the five-time featherweight champion and will step into the octagon for a re-match against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 on October 22 [AEDT].

The Aussie took the fight on two weeks notice after Brazilian superstar Charles Oliveira was ruled out with a facial injury, setting up the chance to redeem himself after losing to Makhachev earlier this year.

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was likely one of the fights called to step up against Makhachev, but he is taking an extended break from the sport.

'You won't see me fight for a long time,' Adesanya said.

'Even with this short replacement, I'm sure they called my team up and my team was like, 'He's not fighting right now'.

'I'm just going to take my time. Heal. And then when I come back, f***ing run for the hills.'

McGregor supporter that decision, backing Adesanya to come back bigger and better than ever after his last-start loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, but also took a strange wipe at Volkanovski in the process.

'Big glove boxing sparring rounds in an enclosed ring and you are doing Sean in with a hand behind your back, lad. Rest up. And then come back and get that belt back.,' McGregor posted on X.

'And volk couldn't hold my spit bucket. '

McGregor suffered a broken leg when he lost to long-term rival Dustin Poirior in his last fight on July 2021.

Now, the polarising star is looking to make a return to the octagon, a comeback that has been made challenging by the split between the UFC and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). 

It comes after McGregor declared Volkanovski would be 'quick work' for him in September.

However the Aussie has no immediate intentions of shaping up to the Irish star, instead focusing on re-establishing his position atop the featherweight division against undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria.

'It's a stacked division,' Volkanovski said in September.

'There's a lot of good talent in there but I guess there's no one really knocking on the door right now except for Ilia and I want that one.'

However the lure of a re-match with Makhachev - who is riding a 12-fight win streak -has accelerated Volkanovski's plans to become a dual-division champion.

Makhachev has welcomed the challenge to put aside any doubt over who the greater fighter is.

'Honestly, I'm happy because after the last fight, we have many questions,' Makhachev said on rematching Volkanovski. 

'But all answers are going to be in Abu Dhabi inshallah.'