Dana White reveals Conor McGregor’s comeback nearly finalized: ‘He’ll fight this summer’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 13: (L-R) Conor McGregor and UFC President Dana White pose for a photo during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter at UFC APEX on March 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Conor McGregor’s comeback could be announced any day now.

While rumors have been swirling for months about a potential date, location and opponent for McGregor’s first fight back in five years, UFC CEO Dana White revealed the two sides are nearly at the finish line for his next fight. McGregor initially got back into training camp with hopes he could land on the UFC White House card but the promotion ultimately had other ideas in mind.

As talks have continued, McGregor has been touted as a possible headliner for UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas as the culmination of International Fight Week 2026. Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is a leading candidate to serve as his opponent, although nothing has been formalized just yet.

That said, White has every confidence that McGregor makes his UFC return sooner than later.

“We’re in a good place,” White told Jim Rome about the UFC’s relationship with McGregor. “We’re in a great place with Conor. I’m extremely confident that will Conor will fight this year. I’m extremely confident that we’ll get him dialed in and ready to roll. He’s training, there’s footage out there of him in training right now.

“We haven’t announced anything yet. He’ll fight this summer. Let me just start there. He’ll fight this summer.”

With the UFC White House card scheduled for June 14, the next logical landing place for McGregor would be July for UFC 329. Add to that, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has been rumored as the main event for the UFC 330 card in August so that basically leaves July to McGregor.