Dana White, UFC CEO, provided an update on Conor McGregor’s potential return to the octagon at a planned UFC event on the White House lawn on July 4, 2026. On August 13, 2025, White confirmed McGregor’s re-entry into the UFC anti-doping pool and his commitment to headlining the historic event. McGregor, a former two-division champion, hasn’t fought since July 2021 but is training to represent Ireland’s pride at the White House, as he stated on X.
Dana White on McGregor’s plans
White shared details during an interview with Pardon My Take.
“He’s been posting videos of himself training, he’s back in the testing pool now,” White said. “He wants the White House fight.”
McGregor re-entered the UFC anti-doping pool in July 2025, a crucial step for his return.
White added, “Listen, if he starts getting in shape and training and stays the course, that’s the fight he wants.”
McGregor is vocal about his ambition. On X, he posted:
“Ringside at the UFC White House event. Displaying Ireland’s strength, courage, skill and determination, directly in front of our American counterparts. Ireland, together in unison at the world’s biggest fighting event, live from the White House lawn.”
Ringside at the @ufc White House event, displaying Irelands strength, courage, skill and determination, directly in front of our American counterparts!
Ireland, together in unison at the Worlds biggest fighting event live from the White House lawn!
🇮🇪❤️💪
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 14, 2025
White noted McGregor’s determination, saying:
“He keeps telling me he wants that White House fight. So, we’ll see how it plays out over the next several months.”
🚨 Dana White is asked about Conor McGregor returning to the UFC
“He’s been posting videos of himself training. He’s back in the [testing] pool now.
He wants the White House fight.” 👀👀
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 13, 2025
White confirmed the event, proposed by President Donald Trump, is in the works, with logistics still being finalized.
Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), a 37-year-old from Dublin, Ireland, is one of MMA’s biggest names. He became the first UFC fighter to hold titles in two divisions at once, knocking out Jose Aldo for the featherweight belt in 2015 and Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt in 2016. His last fight was a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he broke his leg. A planned fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was canceled due to a toe injury.
McGregor’s time away included acting in the 2024 “Roadhouse” remake and managing his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey brand, which later parted ways with him. He faced a legal challenge in November 2024, when a Dublin civil court found him liable for a 2018 sexual assault, ordering him to pay €248,603.60 ($261,246.63) in damages and legal costs.
The White House event could be McGregor’s return stage. White called it the “best UFC card ever,”, with Jon Jones also aiming for the event. McGregor’s appeal of the civil ruling may pose challenges, but his anti-doping pool re-entry shows dedication. White, on the Full Send Podcast, said, “Conor’s got to find real motivation to fight again,” noting his wealth and fame. A fight against Chandler, Tom Aspinall, or another top name could reshape McGregor’s legacy. His history shows he rises to big moments, and he’s set on bringing Ireland’s pride to the White House lawn.
