Dana White shuts down UFC return rumors for Conor McGregor: ‘He’s not fighting anytime soon’

UFC CEO, Dana White has once more shut down rumors of a potential return to action anytime soon for former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor — even claiming the two have not spoken in a long time.

McGregor, a former lightweight champion and featherweight gold holder in the promotion, failed to make good on a hiatus-snapping return last summer.

And approaching a four-year layoff as soon as July, McGregor was slated to headline UFC 303 last June in an International Fight Week headliner against Michael Chandler at the welterweight limit.

However, withdrawing from the pairing citing a fractured toe, McGregor has remained non-committal on a return to fighting in the time since.

Dana White pours cold water on Conor McGregor’s UFC return

To boot, this year, the veteran striker has made somewhat of a plan to emerge into the world of politics in his native Republic of Ireland, claiming he was “happy” with how his career in combat sports had played out.

“I’ve got two fights on the contract, I’m in negotiations,” Conor McGregor said. “Last week something happened to me, I went to the White House, and my heart bleeds for my country right now. So, there’s a lot of stuff going on back home, I’m happy with what I’ve done. There’s something else for me that’s in my gut right now and that’s kind of where I’m going. So, we’ll see. Greatness does not rush. There was an opportunity or a deal, we’ll say, to fight in Alcatraz only recent.”

As noted, retaining just a pair of fights on his current UFC contract, fans should quell hopes for a comeback fight for the Dubliner soon, as per promotional leader, White.

“He’s (Conor McGregor) not fighting anytime soon,” Dana White told Adam Glyn this week. “I haven’t talked to him in a minute.”

Sidelined since 2021, McGregor most recently suffered a second consecutive defeat in the form of a trilogy rubber match loss against long-time rival, Dustin Poirier.