Dana White Shares Big Update On Conor McGregor’s UFC Return

Dana White provided a major update on Conor McGregor's return.

Zain Bando | Oct 8, 2023

Dana White Shares Big Update On Conor McGregor’s UFC Return /

Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC will have to wait a little while longer, according to UFC CEO Dana White.

Following the conclusion of UFC Vegas 80 Saturday night, White addressed McGregor’s latest comments where he teased re-entering the USADA testing pool.

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There is slightly a bit more to it than just that, however. A return in 2023 is simply out of the question for the former two-division world champion, who last got his hand raised in Jan. 2020 against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

The promotion already finalized main events for the three remaining numbered shows in 2023, as McGregor has headlined every pay-per-view he has been in since 2015.

Per USADA policy, unless an exemption is granted, McGregor would have to wait six months before competing again, which would allow him to return to the UFC for its blockbuster 300th pay-per-view.

Dana White and the UFC are waiting for USADA

“No, he is not officially in the USADA pool,” White said. “He submitted the paperwork. Probably by Monday, he’ll be submitted [into the testing [pool].”

When asked if McGregor could be a potential headliner for UFC 300, White provided no timetable but didn’t rule it out as a possibility.

“We’ll play it by ear and see how things work out,” White added. “There’s still a lot of things that have to happen, as far as fights go, and then we’ll decide where he’s gonna land.”

McGregor last fought at UFC 264 during the first Vegas-based event post-COVID in July 2021. He suffered a gruesome leg injury which has kept him inactive ever since.

READ: UFC Legend Makes Shrewd Comments On Conor McGregor's Future

McGregor has been linked to fight Michael Chandler for over a year now, as the pair competed as coaches during TUF 31.

It marked McGregor’s second appearance on the show as a coach, while Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, entered new territory.

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Published Oct 8, 2023

ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99