CONOR MCGREGOR is in his 'best shape ever' ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to the octagon thanks to a carefully-planned diet from his nutritionist.

The former two-division champion is gearing up for a rematch with Dustin Poirier, whom he'll face in the main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi.

McGregor has put on a considerable amount of muscle ahead of his return to the lightweight division, which he hasn't graced in over two years.

The former featherweight and lightweight king's considerably thicker frame has sparked understandable concerns about his ability to make the 156lb limit.

But The Notorious is currently on a strict diet to ensure he loses an ample amount of weight before he begins removing the excess water from his body during fight week.

McGregor's meals have been devised by nutritionist Tristin Kennedy, who opened up on the Irishman's daily food intake in an interview with ESPN.

He said: "His diet consists of lean sources of protein: chicken, fish, salmon, beef, eggs.

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"Good complex carbohydrates. Good micro elements — your herbs, basil, oregano. All these things are incorporated into the diet as a whole.

"We have a great balanced diet. From multiple protein sources, multiple carbohydrate sources of wholesome foods. And that's the key."

Kennedy isn't a fan of placing his clients on overly-restrictive diets, adding: "I hear people these days, they're focused on one food or two or three foods.

"The key is to get nutrients from all foods. And that's what we incorporate and that's what we do."

McGregor's muscle-bound physique has reduced ever so slightly over the last few weeks, although he doesn't look drained or devoid of glycogen.

Kennedy added: "We're going into our final few weeks on point. We've started the gradual descent for a few weeks now.

"It has not been mad drastic in terms of calorie cuts. We have to, again, make sure he's fuelled. Make sure he performs in training.

"You don't want these camps to turn into fat camps where it's just calorie restriction and then the athlete can't train.

"It's about getting that balance right between energy and weight loss. There's a fine line with all that.

"Because I've been with him so long and know his body and know how he performs — using all those resources as a team — you get a fairly good idea and a fairly good direction on where to go."

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Team McGregor have been blown away by the shape the UFC's poster boy is currently in, which Kennedy wholeheartedly believes is his best.

He said: ''Several people have commented already that this is the best shape he's ever been in.

"They're the people that are closest to him throughout all the camps. Owen Roddy [McGregor's striking coach] just said it.

"John Kavanagh [McGregor's head coach] just recently said it. I would absolutely agree.

"I guess going from what I've seen and what I know, the man is phenomenal and ready to take on this fight and do well."

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