Conor McGregor's UFC return edges closer after Donald Trump talks

Conor McGregor has received a massive boost after UFC chief Dana White confirmed the proposed White House card has been approved.

Last month, US President Donald Trump shocked supporters after unveiling his plan to stage a historic UFC event on the White House grounds. "And I even think we're going to have a UFC fight... Does anybody watch UFC and the great Dana White?' Trump asked the crowd of MAGA faithful. "We're going to have a UFC fight. We're going to have a UFC fight."

Trump continued: "Think of this - on the grounds of the White House." He added: "We have a lot of land there. We're going to build a little - we're not, Dana's going to do it, Dana's great, one of a kind - we're going to have a UFC fight, championship fight, full fight, like 20-25,000 people." White subsequently disclosed that it will occur on July 4, 2026 and will be part of the July 4 celebrations in the US to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

Recently, the UFC chief stated that the UFC octagon is presently too heavy to place on the White House lawn. However, the 56-year-old had arranged to meet with Trump to discuss the practicalities of the event. On Thursday evening, White delivered a major update on the event.

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"I had a fantastic day," White started. "I'm just about to jet off from Washington, D. C," reports All Out Fighting. "We had a meeting at the White House. It couldn't have gone better. This is going to be brilliant. The White House fight is on! The White House fight is on! I'll have more details on that in the next few weeks. But we got it sorted today."

This news comes as a massive lift for McGregor who has previously expressed his wish to compete on the card. The 37-year-old hasn't stepped into the cage since his defeat to Dustin Poirier back in 2021. He was scheduled to return to the cage last year against Michael Chandler, but had to withdraw from the fight due to an injury.

In recent months, the former dual-weight UFC champion has been intensifying his training amidst rumours of a potential comeback. He was recently caught on camera working hard on the Thai pads during his trip to Italy. Not only that, he's also started sparring again. Last weekend, the UFC legend was spotted exchanging blows with two young sparring partners.

Another fighter keen to make his comeback in Washington next July is former heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The American announced his retirement earlier this year, but made a surprising U-turn after hearing Trump's speech in July. White quickly dismissed the idea, before reinforcing his comments at the UFC 319 post-fight press conference. He posed a question to a reporter: "What do you think Jon would do in the next couple of months that would make me trust putting him on the White House card?"

White continued: "I already said I don't trust him, and you're asking me, 'What could he do for me to trust him in the next three months?' You don't trust him! I haven't talked to him at all. I would not bet on it. If I have to make odds, it's a billion to one [that] I put Jon Jones on the White House card."

When is Conor McGregor's next fight?

Despite McGregor's lack of activity, it appears he is genuinely keen on making a comeback next July. Earlier this month, supporters feared the worst for McGregor's potential return after UFC Roster Tracker claimed the Irishman had been dropped from the active roster. Typically, this would indicate a fighter had either left the organisation or hung up their gloves. The news rapidly spread across social media, prompting the UFC chief to respond swiftly.

The UFC Roster Tracker operates independently from the promotion - though it does monitor the organisation's fighter list from UFC.com.White was quick to dismiss the speculation and clarify that the former two-division UFC champion remains on the roster." Total b*******," White posted beneath a report on Instagram.

During a recent stint on Pardon My Take, White was quizzed about the potential return of McGregor. "He's been posting videos of himself training. He's back in the [testing] pool now," the UFC boss commented. "He wants the White House fight." He added: "If he starts training and getting in shape... that is the fight he wants. He keeps telling me he wants that fight, so we will see how it plays out over the next several months."