McGregor, despite not having fought since July 2021, is someone who White says is still a major draw, and he trusts him to return if the timing is right.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Dana White (left) during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images \/ Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
“So, Conor says he’s coming back,” White said. “He’s in the [testing] pool. There’s tons of footage of him training. You know, he wants to fight on this White House card. We’ll see. I mean, we won’t start building that card until February.”<\/p>\n
White then took it a step further, recalling several instances where McGregor stepped up in major spots throughout his career when the UFC needed him the most.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Conor McGregor facing off with Michael Chandler on The Ultimate Fighter. \/ (Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Dana White’s Contender Series 2025: Week 6 free live stream results & highlights<\/a><\/p>\n “People talk s*** about Conor, I’ve been in the f****** trenches with Conor,” White said. “Conor is a guy that has fought injured. Conor was a guy that, a fighter falls out, we slid in a stylistically bad matchup for him. He doesn’t care. He literally will fight anybody.”<\/p>\n When White was pressed further about where McGregor is in his career as opposed to a decade ago, and he didn’t hesitate to say why the former titleholder still has motivation to compete at the highest level.<\/p>\n “He and I have been talking nonstop,” White said. “And he’s like, ‘I’m dead serious. I want this. You know, I’m training. I’m back in the pool. I’m doing all this s***.’ So, we’ll see. We still have a long way to go [until June]. We still have a long way to go until February until we start making these cards, so we’ll see how it plays out.”<\/p>\n White did not hint at any possible opponents for McGregor, as his fight last June against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 was canceled due to a toe injury.<\/a><\/p>\n For now, though, White is focused on the long-term future of the TKO brand. Approximately 44 live events will make up the UFC schedule, alongside between a dozen and 16 or so Zuffa Boxing events. Not to mention “Power Slap,” The Ultimate Fighter, and other TKO-related ventures.<\/p>\n As next year approaches, so does the new year for the promotion and a busier schedule.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Dana White gives grim update on possible UFC White House fight for Jon Jones<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Conor McGregor teases UFC return fight on White House card<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC announces major change to main event fight for UFC Vancouver<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Dana White opens up on possibilities for UFC stadium show following Canelo-Crawford<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n