Conor McGregor return rumors are back at full speed, and this time the spark was one answer from Dana White at the UFC London post-fight press conference.
The timing is why this got so much attention. McGregor has been publicly pushing for a comeback window around International Fight Week, Ian Machado Garry is a major Irish name at welterweight, and UFC fans are always waiting for the next big McGregor headline. That wording quickly pushed fans to connect the dots toward a possible Conor-Garry matchup.
Before any hype runs away, the hard fact is simple: there is still no official UFC fight announcement for Conor McGregor vs Ian Machado Garry. No bout agreement has been publicly confirmed by UFC.
The exact quotes that started the McGregor vs Garry buzz
A key media exchange at the post-fight presser drove this entire story. The question and answer below are the quotes behind the current rumor:
“With Conor coming back, now you have Ian Garry and Conor McGregor,” a reporter asked. “Are we coming back to Ireland soon?”
“That’s a great question … definitely not with those fights,” White replied. “But yes, I love Ireland too. Would love to go back to Dublin, do a show there, and we’re definitely taking Zuffa Boxing to Ireland too. But the Conor Garry fight won’t be in Ireland.”
That final line drove instant debate online. Some saw it as a hint, while others saw it as loose phrasing during a broad Ireland question.
Dana White is asked if the UFC with Conor McGregor and Ian Garry are coming back to Ireland soon:
I’d love to go back to Dublin, do a show there. And, we’re definitely taking Zuffa Boxing to Ireland too, but the Conor/Garry fight won’t be in Ireland. pic.twitter.com/uQ8cpgva2M
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 22, 2026
White’s wording is the reason this rumor has legs. He clearly referenced a “Conor Garry fight” while talking about Ireland plans, and that immediately pushed fans toward one conclusion: the UFC may be moving toward McGregor vs. Garry.
At the same time, there is still no official UFC bout announcement for that matchup. Until the promotion confirms it publicly, this stays in the rumor category.
Recent reporting also points to ongoing contract uncertainty around McGregor’s return path, along with signs that Garry is available for a booking.
Where Conor McGregor and Ian Machado Garry stand right now
Conor McGregor has not fought in the UFC in nearly five years, which is why every return rumor gets massive attention right away. Recent public comments have kept the July window in play, especially around International Fight Week, and that is a big reason fans reacted so strongly to Dana White’s wording in London.
At the same time, the official pieces are still missing. There has been no formal UFC fight announcement naming Ian Machado Garry as McGregor’s opponent, and no public confirmation that all contract steps are complete for McGregor’s return. So even with momentum and talk building, this remains a developing situation rather than a finalized booking.
Garry’s side is easier to read. He is active at welterweight and has been viewed as available for a new matchup, which naturally keeps his name in the conversation when McGregor return talk picks up. That is why this rumor feels believable to many fans, even though the UFC has not made it official yet.
If you are tracking White’s recent public comments across multiple storylines, we also covered his updates involving Nate Diaz and the title-lane talk around Volkanovski and Evloev.
For wider event context, our UFC London coverage also tracked Joe Rogan’s reaction to Michael Page vs Sam Patterson, along with the rest of the card fallout in MiddleEasy MMA News.
