Conor McGregor’s management is adamant that no potential legal issues will preclude the former UFC champ from returning to the octagon next year.

Over the past few months McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault in his native Ireland, which were first reported by The New York Times. McGregor has not spoken publicly on the reports, but today his team issued an outright denial.

McGregor’s longtime manager Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports Management appeared on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show” and offered an official comment on behalf of his client and himself.

“He vehemently denies any allegation of sexual misconduct or any wrongdoing,” Attar said. “We vehemently deny it, and he does as well. At the end of the day we know who he is, he knows who he is, and we know what the truth is.”

While Attar denied any allegation involving sexual assault, he admitted McGregor hasn’t been without his flaws. The Irishman recently pled guilty in court after an incident in a pub where he punched another man in the face in one of multiple outside-the-cage issues in recent years.

Attar said “when (Conor) makes mistakes he owns up to it,” and feels now the fighter has done that and has a clear slate to get back in the cage for the first time since an October 2018 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Attar said McGregor is now turning his focus to the future, and that’s centered around a return to the octagon for a three-fight “season” in 2020.

McGregor, 31, recently did a media tour through the Ukraine and Russia where he announced he would be making his UFC comeback on Jan. 18 in Las Vegas. Attar confirmed that negotiations with the UFC are close to being finalized, and something should soon be official.

“We’ve both agreed on a date and we’ve agreed on opponents,” Attar said. “A deal is imminent. I don’t see anything getting in the way barring some unforeseen circumstances. I think both parties want to get it done. I think it’s in the best in interest of everyone involved.”

Attar’s comments contrast with those of UFC president Dana White, who said following Saturday’s UFC 244 event in New York that there was “zero” updates on McGregor’s return.

Assuming the deal get done, though, Donald Cerrone has been commonly mentioned as the frontrunner to land the fight. Attar would not confirm that’s the opponent, but admitted “Cowboy” is deserving of such a matchup and would be a “fun” fight for fans to kick off a busy year for his client.