LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Conor McGregor of Ireland greets UFC president Dana White during the UFC 264 press conference at T-Mobile Arena on July 08, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Dana White Could Announce Conor McGregor’s Return Soon

By FIGHTSPORTS May 15, 2026

Speculation is building that Dana White could use Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 117 card in Las Vegas to formally announce Conor McGregor’s (22-6) long-awaited return to the Octagon.

White has already laid the groundwork publicly, telling reporters last week that things are “in a great place” with McGregor and confirming the former two-division champion will fight this summer. “I’m extremely confident that Conor will fight this year. He’ll fight this summer. Let me just start there,” White said.

The most heavily reported scenario has McGregor returning on July 11 at UFC 329 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, with Max Holloway emerging as the frontrunner to welcome him back. The pair fought once before in 2013 at featherweight, with McGregor earning a unanimous decision. Holloway has since called for a rematch on multiple occasions and has made clear he would welcome the matchup.

McGregor has been absent from competition since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. A planned comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 was shelved after he suffered a broken pinky toe in training, with Saturday night potentially marking the moment his return is finally made official.

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