Conor McGregor is pressing ahead with a return to the UFC, and Dana White says theIrish star is relentless about landing a spot on the famous White House card. McGregor hasn’t fought in the Octagon in over four years, since his bruising TKO loss to Dustin Poirier, and he was previously lined up to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 before withdrawing with a toe injury. After re-entering the drug-testing pool and posting training footage, McGregor has continued to hint at a comeback, and White says the fighter “keeps telling” him he wants to fight on the White House bill.
White spoke about McGregor’s drive during an appearance on Pardon My Take, noting that the 37-year-old has been sharing videos of his return to training and is focused on a fight on a highly symbolic stage. He added that if McGregor stays in shape and remains committed, that is the matchup McGregor is pursuing. As for the White House event itself, White made clear it is not just talk. He said the plan is real and will come to fruition, insisting he spoke with the sitting president and would be meeting him again to hammer out the details. The show is slated for July 4, 2026, a celebration tied to the UFC’s new Paramount broadcast deal, with White promising the event will air live on CBS from the White House.
The concept is as ambitious as it sounds: a spectacle built around a marquee return for McGregor, paired with a venue and date designed to maximize global attention. President Trump had previously teased a White House UFC card, and White has reiterated that the project is moving forward, with discussions about the format, renderings, and preferences already underway. The plan would align with a star-studded broadcasting strategy that the UFC is pursuing under its new deal with Paramount.
If and when McGregor finally steps back into the cage, there will be no shortage of viable opponents. The lightweight division remains a competitive gauntlet, featuring champions and top contenders in Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Paddy Pimblett. Chandler, who was originally slated to meet McGregor last year, is also in the mix, though he has suggested he’s not betting on a specific matchup and would be open to a fight with McGregor if the opportunity arises.
Chandler confirmed he has discussed a potential pairing with the UFC, telling Ariel Helwani that while he’d love to fight McGregor, he wouldn’t bet on it. The veteran fighter’s preference for a White House bout adds another layer to the possibilities surrounding McGregor’s comeback and the UFC’s evolving event strategy.
For fans, the prospect of McGregor’s return combined with a White House spectacle promises an extraordinary chapter in UFC history. If he can recapture form and stay focused, the return fight could deliver blockbuster pay-per-view numbers and a narrative that transcends mixed martial arts. The coming months will reveal how serious McGregor remains about topping the sport again, and how the UFC will shape a landmark card that could redefine what a fight night looks like on a national stage.
Summary: Conor McGregor is intent on returning to the UFC, with Dana White stating McGregor repeatedly tells him he wants to fight on a White House card. The event is planned for July 4, 2026, tied to a major broadcasting deal with Paramount and CBS. McGregor’s comeback would likely target top lightweight contenders, including the likes of Topuria, Gaethje, Holloway, Pimblett, or Chandler, with Chandler indicating openness to the matchup but not betting on it. The next several months are expected to bring more clarity on both McGregor’s readiness and the feasibility of the White House spectacle.