Dana White Teases Superfight Not Involving Conor McGregor

While Dana White guarantees that Conor McGregor will return next year, he also claims to have a blockbuster matchup in the works that does not involve the Irish superstar.

McGregor (22-6) hasn’t fought since suffering a broken leg in a trilogy clash against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. While “Notorious” has since featured as Michael Chandler’s (23-8) rival coach on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 31, their clash which was expected to follow hangs in the balance. Following his re-entry into the United States Anti-Doping Agency drug testing pool, McGregor was targeting a return in April 2024. However, according to his coach, John Kavanagh, McGregor is unlikely to make a return before the summer.

Nevertheless, UFC CEO White recently assured fans of McGregor’s 2024 return without finalizing the name of an opponent in an appearance on the Full Send Podcast. White also took the opportunity to point out Chandler's ability to sit out without competing for a year as he waits for McGregor.

“Yes, 100 percent,” White said. “[McGregor] fights next year…We'll see the timing of when that goes down. The good thing for guys like Chandler, and you know there’s a lot of sh*t talk about fighter pay and all that other sh*t – you don’t see these guys hurrying up to fight... Chandler can hang out and wait for f*cking Conor.”

Despite having gone 1-3 in his last four, McGregor continues to be a highly sought-after opponent for most lightweight elites as a matchup with the Dubliner guarantees a lucrative payday. White also shared news of a potential superfight which doesn’t include arguably the greatest star in the sport.

“We’re talking about one right now, actually, that just popped up a few days ago. I can’t talk about it until we get everybody... well, every fight that you would consider a ‘super fight’ would involve McGregor but this one isn’t, no.”