Dana White gives positive update on Conor McGregor return
Dana White gave his most encouraging assessment yet of Conor McGregor’s comeback plans, telling reporters after UFC Winnipeg that negotiations with the former two-division champion are moving forward.
“It’s looking good,” White said at the post-fight press conference, per MMA Fighting. “Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.”
McGregor targeting International Fight Week return
The update represents a sharp turn from White’s recent comments on McGregor. As recently as March, the UFC CEO said the promotion had “no date for Conor right now” and they were “not even close.” Just last week, he described the situation as “same old,” according to MMA Mania. McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021, suffering back-to-back losses to the Louisiana native. A scheduled 2024 return opposite Michael Chandler fell apart when a broken toe forced McGregor off the UFC 303 card.
Talks have centered on restructuring McGregor’s compensation now that the UFC has eliminated pay-per-view points for fighters. McGregor reportedly settled a lawsuit with former teammate Artem Lobov over profits from his Proper No. 12 whiskey brand and has scaled back appearances at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship events despite his ownership stake. He has posted repeatedly about returning to full training and underwent ibogaine treatment late last year to address what he called unspecified trauma.
Max Holloway remains the most discussed opponent for McGregor’s return, with Holloway saying on multiple occasions he would welcome a rematch. UFC 329 on July 11 closes International Fight Week and would give the promotion six weeks to finalize and announce the bout.
Photo by Nereid Ndreu on Unsplash
Original reporting:
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