Dana White is inching closer to locking in a date for Conor McGregor‘s highly anticipated return to the Octagon.
McGregor hasn’t fought since UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a devastating leg break in his loss to Dustin Poirier. It’s been 38 months since that night, with fans left to wonder if “The Notorious” would ever fight again.
During his recovery, McGregor found time to star in the 2024 hit Road House and take on an executive role with the BKFC promotion. Originally set to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, he pulled out due to injury, leaving his future unclear.
However, Dana White recently gave a promising update. “I was the one saying he wouldn’t fight this year,” White told New York Post Sports. “But Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025. He’s had time off, he’s wealthy, and we’ll see if the hunger is still there. He’s one of the sport’s biggest stars and a great partner for us.”
If McGregor steps back into the Octagon, it will be his first fight since his 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone in January 2020. After that, McGregor suffered two back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier.
Despite McGregor hinting at a December comeback, White has firmly shut down the possibility of him fighting in 2024. “We talked,” White said after an August Contender Series episode. “He wants to fight, but not this year.”
McGregor, however, wasn’t silent. In a now-deleted tweet, he pushed back: “Ah Dana, December is the date! Bring the year home with a win! DECEMBER! WE WANT DECEMBER! WE DESERVE DECEMBER!”
But as of now, the fight world waits for McGregor’s return, penciled in for early 2025.