Dana White is about ready to start talking with Conor McGregor about a UFC return.
‘The Notorious’ is going on nearly three years out of action. The former UFC champion last competed in July 2021, in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. As many fans likely remember, Conor McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of the first round. Due to the injury, he was forced out of action for a long time.
However, Conor McGregor has been upfront about wanting to return to the UFC for a while now. The former champion has called for a June return against Michael Chandler, but Dana White quickly shot that down. McGregor called to fight at the Las Vegas Sphere in September against Nate Diaz. Again, White shot it down.
Earlier this week, Conor McGregor admitted that he hasn’t even spoken with the UFC about a potential return. That all changed earlier this week. Suddenly, McGregor announced that he got the green light, to announce his summer return against Michael Chandler. What changed? Well, Dana White has given fans an answer.
Appearing on Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast, Dana White was asked about Conor McGregor. There, he explained that the Irishman’s return was delayed due to Road House. White wanted to look out for McGregor and make sure he was fully committed to a return. As a result, the promoter didn’t plan to offer him any fights until he was done with his movie.
Dana White blames Road House commitments for Conor McGregor’s UFC return delay
“There’s no lack of communication, not at all.” Dana White stated on the Pound-4-Pound podcast when asked about Conor McGregor’s return. “You know where Conor is tonight? He’s in New York City for the premiere of Road House. He has obligations right now, to promote this movie. So he’s been flying all over the world going to all of the premieres of the launch of this movie. This is an obligation that he has to do.”
He continued, “100% [I’m looking out for him], 100%. It is what it is. He committed to this movie, he has obligations for this movie. He can’t do both. So once this movie launches, which is Thursday. This thing launches Thursday the 21st and boom. I don’t know what his obligations are once it launches, but then Conor can get back in the gym and start training. Like, full-time, getting ready for a camp.”
“…Tell me if I’m f*cking wrong.” Dana White concluded. “Once you start to make a lot of money, you’re not as hungry as you were before, and it is hard to get in the gym.”
What do you make of these comments from Dana White? Are you excited for Conor McGregor’s UFC return?
