Conor McGregor appears closer than ever to finally stepping back inside the Octagon.
After years of uncertainty surrounding his comeback, UFC CEO Dana White revealed this week that talks for McGregor’s return are now moving in the right direction, with the promotion expecting him to fight this summer.
“We’re in a good place,” White said while speaking with Jim Rome. “We’re in a great place with Conor.”
White sounded far more optimistic than he has in previous updates regarding McGregor’s future.
“I’m extremely confident that will Conor will fight this year.”
“We’ll get him dialed in and ready to roll. He’s training, there’s footage out there of him in training right now.”
The UFC has not officially announced an opponent or date yet, but speculation around UFC 329 continues to grow.
UFC 329 Emerging As Leading Option
McGregor had reportedly hoped to compete on the UFC’s planned White House event in June, but those discussions shifted as the promotion worked on other plans for the card.
Now, July appears to be the likely target.
UFC 329 is scheduled during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, and former featherweight champion Max Holloway has emerged as one of the leading names connected to the fight.
White stopped short of confirming any matchup but made it clear the promotion expects McGregor back soon.
“We haven’t announced anything yet,” White said. “He’ll fight this summer. Let me just start there. He’ll fight this summer.”
The timing also lines up with reports that Islam Makhachev is being targeted for the main event of UFC 330 in August, leaving July as the most realistic landing spot for McGregor’s return.
McGregor Has Not Fought Since 2021
If the fight becomes official, it would mark McGregor’s first UFC appearance since his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That night ended with McGregor suffering a broken leg at the end of the opening round.
Since then, McGregor’s name has stayed in the headlines despite his long absence from competition. He coached a season of The Ultimate Fighter, carried on a heated rivalry with Michael Chandler, and expanded his role as part-owner of BKFC.
White admitted he believed the comeback would happen last year before plans ultimately fell apart.
“I thought it would happen last year. It didn’t. I’m extremely confident it will happen this summer.”
“He seems motivated, he’s training. There are a lot of other great things going on behind the scenes that make me very confident he’ll fight this summer.”