Dana White Reveals Conor McGregor’s UFC Comeback Likely Delayed

Conor McGregor fans, brace yourselves: the Irish superstar’s long-awaited return to the UFC may be further off than expected. The former two-division champion has been teasing his return since his last fight back in 2021, but UFC CEO Dana White recently shed light on the real timeline for McGregor’s comeback—and it’s not happening anytime soon.

During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, White was asked about the possibility of rescheduling the hyped matchup between McGregor and Michael Chandler. While the fight had been building anticipation for years, White’s update left fans with a dose of reality.

“When Conor comes back, which I see being sometime the later part of next year, we’ll see where everybody’s at and what’s going on and we’ll figure out who faces Conor,” White revealed. He added, “That’s why everybody was so excited about it. Chandler and Conor McGregor is a fun fight.”

McGregor was initially slated to return earlier, but a broken toe derailed plans for a fight with Chandler in June. When it became clear that McGregor wouldn’t be back in 2024, Chandler moved on and is now gearing up to face Charles Oliveira in a co-main event at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Despite sitting out nearly two years, Chandler remains hopeful about facing McGregor down the line. However, White’s latest comments indicate that Chandler might need to change his expectations. As for McGregor, who’s been hinting at a 2025 return, White confirmed that the star is still interested in stepping back into the octagon but acknowledged the complications that come with his massive success.

“It’s a fact that he does [want to come back next year],” White emphasized. “He and I probably talk four or five times a month. He definitely wants to come back.” But White didn’t hold back on the potential roadblock: “Every time I’m on here I tell you money — money messes everything up. So we’ll see.”

McGregor’s staggering wealth and fame may be contributing factors to his delayed return, proving that with great fortune comes complex decisions.

Will McGregor’s return reignite the UFC or has the endless waiting dimmed the excitement for his comeback? Let us know your thoughts and share what you hope to see when he finally steps back into the cage!