Conor McGregor is once again teasing his long-awaited return to the Octagon, but the Irish superstar still has no confirmed opponent or date locked in.
After years away from competition, McGregor says negotiations with the UFC are ongoing as speculation continues to grow around a potential appearance on the promotion’s historic White House card scheduled for June 14.
Speaking outside his Black Forge Inn restaurant in Ireland, McGregor revealed that discussions with the UFC are actively progressing.
“I am in negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship about the bout, either the White House or thereabouts,” McGregor said. “Sometime in the summer, McGregor will return.”
The former two-division champion has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a devastating leg break during his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. The injury sidelined McGregor for several years and stalled multiple comeback attempts.
McGregor appeared set to return at UFC 303 in 2024 opposite fellow The Ultimate Fighter coach Michael Chandler, but a broken toe sustained during training forced him off the card just days before fight week. Since then, fans have waited for clarity on when, or against whom, McGregor will finally step back inside the cage.
Despite the inactivity, McGregor has remained highly visible. Outside the Octagon, he expanded his business portfolio and became a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, further strengthening his combat sports presence.
When the UFC announced plans to stage a landmark event on the White House lawn, McGregor immediately campaigned for a spot. The event, tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, quickly became one of the most talked-about cards in MMA history.
McGregor previously visited the White House during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with former U.S. President Donald Trump, which only fueled speculation that the Irish star could headline the show.
However, McGregor appears open to alternative timelines if negotiations point toward another major summer event, including International Fight Week in July.
One fighter who has publicly welcomed the matchup is Max Holloway, who expressed interest in running back his rivalry with McGregor.
“The belt is definitely the goal, but we have a certain Conor McGregor wanting to make his return,” Holloway said. “I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t take that fight. It’s Conor McGregor, man. You have to take that fight.”
Holloway added that their shared history makes the matchup compelling, particularly on a massive stage like the proposed White House event.
For now, McGregor’s comeback remains one of the UFC’s biggest unanswered questions. The promotion has yet to finalize the lineup for its historic summer events, leaving room for multiple possibilities.
“Sometime in the summer,” he promised and until an official announcement arrives, the MMA world will continue waiting for the sport’s biggest draw to make his comeback official.
