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 Drops Massive News On McGregor’s Return

By FIGHTSPORTS May 8, 2026 Last updated May 8, 2026

UFC CEO Dana White has delivered an update on Conor McGregor’s (22-6) return, confirming the former two-division champion will be back in the Octagon this summer.

McGregor has been absent since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. A planned comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was subsequently shelved after Conor’s broken pinky toe in training, leaving his future with the promotion in limbo for the best part of two years.

Reports have pointed to UFC 329 during International Fight Week in July as the target date, with Max Holloway emerging as the frontrunner to welcome him back. The pair met earlier in their careers at featherweight in 2013, with McGregor taking a unanimous decision win.

White stopped short of confirming an opponent or date but left little room for doubt: “We’re in a great place with Conor. I’m extremely confident that Conor will fight this year. He’ll fight this summer. Let me just start there. He’s training — there’s footage out there of him in training right now.