Masvidal shuts down McGregor talk, says he’ll Only return for Historic White House UFC Event.
Jorge Masvidal has addressed growing rumors linking him to a possible fight with Conor McGregor, making it clear that while he is open to returning to the UFC, it would only be for UFC event at the White House.
Masvidal hasn’t competed in the UFC since his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in 2023 and then dropped a boxing bout to Nate Diaz in 2024 , he acknowledged the McGregor buzz during a recent interview with MMA Junkie. The former BMF champion said he has no interest in a normal comeback and is not chasing rankings or titles. According to Masvidal, the only scenario that would bring him out of retirement is the historic UFC card being discussed for the White House in 2026, an event UFC president Dana White has publicly spoken about in connection with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“You never know, right?” Masvidal said. “Shit, give them what they want, not what they expect. I can say some big news. I have some fight news coming soon and it’s very big news and I can’t deny or confirm what you just said.
“ You’ve got to just let the chips fall where they may, but definitely some big news headed towards the MMA community.”
He also noted he continues to train, though wouldn’t specify whether it’s for a specific opportunity and also considers himself as Trump’s favorite fighter.
“Combination of things,” Masvidal said. “I can’t—Some of it is like, Level 5-only access, so I can’t really say too much, but I am training for something big, I can say that.”
One thing Masvidal knows for sure is that if he competes under MMA rules again, it will only be to fight in front of President Donald Trump.
“I wouldn’t mind getting out there and f*cking doing my thing on the White House,” Masvidal said. “That’s the only fight I come back for. Whether it’s the f*cking guy that sells f*cking the cheap whiskey or f*cking ‘Joe Blow,’ I don’t care, it’s the White House. I really don’t give a f*ck. I’m very, very easy to negotiate for in this particular fight.”
“I can’t deny or confirm any of that right now, but maybe hopefully soon I can,” Masvidal said. “I don’t know, I would want to say soon. Like, maybe 10 days, something like that, I should have more confirmation on it.”
“I’m Trump’s favorite fighter, that’s all you’ve got to keep in mind,” Masvidal added. “Just remember that at all times.”
While McGregor has also spoken about wanting to fight on the White House card, UFC officials have not confirmed any matchups, and no bout between the two has been discussed by the promotion. For now, both men remain on the outside looking in, with fans left to speculate about what could be one of the most talked-about events in UFC history.
