UFC’s Dana White Expects Conor McGregor to Return in Early ’25

Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC will not happen in 2024.

After an injury forced him to sit out of a long-awaited return to action at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler in June, McGregor attempted to fight before the end of the year. However, UFC CEO Dana White has consistently refuted McGregor’s statements that he would return to the Octagon in December.

Speaking to the New York Post ahead of Noche UFC, White said he was optimistic that McGregor will compete early next year.

“Let me tell you, I was the one this year that said I don’t think he’s going to fight this year, amidst all the talk and everything else,” White said. “Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.”

McGregor hasn’t fought since July 2021, when he broke his leg late in the first round against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Since the loss, McGregor has been busy with extracurricular activities, including a starring role in the 2024 film remake of “Road House” and becoming a part-owner and director of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. But what brought him here in the first place is what brought him here: fighting. And White hopes his desire to compete hasn’t waned in the 38 months since his last fight.

“He’s had so much free time, hunger-wise, he’s a very wealthy man,” White said. McGregor reportedly earned more than $100 million for his 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather and was ranked the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2021. “We’ll find out. We’ll find out when he comes back, but he’s absolutely one of the great superstars of the sport who has elevated the UFC throughout Europe and other parts of the world. He’s a huge star and a great partner for us.”

White’s announcement that McGregor will return in early 2025 could anger the Irishman, who has openly campaigned to fight in December when UFC 310 is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“Ah Dana, December is the date! Bring the calendar year home with a winning event! Come on, what is this? I’m going to be hitting the heights next month to prepare,” McGregor said in a now-deleted post on X in August. “DECEMBER! Tell Dana and UFC WE WANT DECEMBER! WE DESERVE DECEMBER!”