Dana White expects Conor McGregor to fight ‘later part of next year’

On By Littum

Conor McGregor’s long-awaited comeback may have to wait a little longer than expected.

The Irish superstar, who last fought way back in 2021, has been teasing his return to the octagon for months with hopes of competing again sometime in 2025. While next year is still the targeted timeline, UFC boss Dana White revealed that he believes now that McGregor’s return won’t be sooner than later.

White spoke about the latest on McGregor during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show when asked about potentially rebooking the fight with Michael Chandler after he faces Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on Saturday.

“It’s a fun game,” White said. “I think Conor and Chandler both like that fight. When Conor comes back, which I see will be sometime in the later part of next year, we’ll see where everybody is and what’s going on and we’ll find out who faces Conor.

“That’s why everyone was so excited about it. Chandler and Conor McGregor is a fun fight.”

Hearing that McGregor likely won’t return until late 2025 probably wasn’t the news anyone expected after a broken toe delayed his previously scheduled fight against Chandler back in June.

McGregor lamented that he was ready to fight again, but when it was clear he would not be returning in 2024, Chandler eventually moved on. He now faces Oliveira in a five-round co-main event on Saturday’s card from Madison Square Garden in New York.

While Chandler has stated that he is still interested in facing McGregor after sitting out nearly two years waiting for that matchup to happen, it appears that he may have to adjust his expectations to reschedule the match.

Despite the constant delays, White remains confident that McGregor will eventually return to the UFC, but he also stands by the statement that all bets are off due to the absurd amount the former two-division champion has earned during his career.

“It’s a fact that he does (want to come back next year),” White said. “He and I probably talk four or five times a month. He will definitely return.

“We’ll see. Every time I’m here, I tell you money – money messes everything up. So we’ll see.”