Dana White provides positive update on Conor McGregor UFC return

Conor McGregor continues to negotiate with the UFC on his return to action and it appears talks are heading in a positive direction.

With rumors swirling that the former two-division champion could return as early as UFC 329 on July 11, which serves as the conclusion of International Fight Week 2026, UFC CEO Dana White seems happy with the way things are going. While he stopped short of announcing a deal was done, White confirmed that talks are good with McGregor as the two sides attempt to finalize his first fight back in five years.

“It’s looking good,” White said about McGregor’s return at the UFC Winnipeg post-fight press conference. “Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.”

McGregor has continuously teased plans to compete again on social media, especially after putting his full focus back on a training camp to prepare for a fight. No opponent has been named, but Max Holloway remains a popular choice for McGregor’s return and Holloway has mentioned on several occasions he’d like to run it back with his one-time foe.

It appears McGregor has done his best to set aside outside distractions, including settling a lawsuit with former friend and teammate Artem Lobov over profits from the sale of his Proper No. 12 whiskey brand. McGregor has also remained a constant supporter for BKFC after he became a part owner in the bare-knuckle outfit but he’s made fewer trips to live events as he gets ready to fight again.

If he competes in July, McGregor will attempt to return to the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier, which includes the devastating broken leg that ended their trilogy in 2021 and put McGregor on the shelf for an extended period of time.

McGregor was supposed to return in 2024 for a fight against Michael Chandler, but a broken toe knocked McGregor off the card. He’s repeatedly stated he plans to compete again and the comeback could be closer than ever.