McGregor Could Fight Next Year, Says UFC Boss Dana White

Photo: Conor McGregor / Instagram 

UFC President Dana White has said that if Conor McGregor returns to fighting, it will happen sometime next year. McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2021, when he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier. A planned comeback fight in June against Michael Chandler was canceled after McGregor broke his toe.

McGregor’s name has been in the news recently for a different reason. Last month, an Irish jury found him liable for assault in a civil case. The jury ruled McGregor assaulted Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018 and ordered him to pay nearly €250,000 in damages and legal fees. McGregor denied the accusations and has said he will appeal the decision.

At a news conference after UFC 310, White declined to comment on the case. When asked about McGregor’s UFC status, White said, “He hasn’t been fighting here in how long? If he does fight, it will be sometime next year.”

Photo: Conor McGregor / Instagram 

The UFC has an Athlete Conduct Policy that outlines behavior expectations. It says fighters should avoid actions that bring the UFC into disrepute. The policy lists misconduct like assault, harassment, and other violent behavior as grounds for sanctions.

While the UFC has punished fighters in the past, such cases are rare and often tied to violations related to the sport itself, such as drug use or betting rules. For example, in 2015, Jon Jones was fined for cocaine use and suspended for a hit-and-run. In 2022, Darrick Minner was released for violating betting rules.

McGregor has faced little punishment from the UFC despite past controversies. In 2018, he injured fighters by throwing a metal dolly at a bus, but the UFC did not sanction him. That same year, he was involved in a brawl after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov, which resulted in a suspension and fine from the Nevada State Athletic Commission but not from the UFC.

The UFC’s approach to discipline often differs from other sports leagues, like the NFL, which regularly punishes athletes for off-field misconduct. For instance, NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 following sexual assault accusations.

For now, McGregor’s UFC future remains uncertain, with White offering little clarity beyond suggesting a potential return next year. Source 

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