Dana White Indicates Conor McGregor’s Next Fight Unlikely Before Next Year

UFC President Dana White has stated that any potential return to the octagon for Conor McGregor within the promotion would occur “sometime next year.” McGregor’s last fight was a defeat by Dustin Poirier in 2021. An Irish jury determined last month that McGregor was liable for assault in a civil rape case initiated by Nikita Hand. Ms Hand was awarded nearly 250,000 euros (£206,000) in damages and legal expenses, which McGregor was ordered to pay. McGregor, having previously denied the allegations, has announced his intention to appeal the decision. During a news conference held after UFC 310, journalists questioned White about his reaction to the civil case’s outcome, to which he replied: “If I had a comment I would have put it out already.” Subsequently, White was prompted to clarify McGregor’s status within the UFC. White then stated, “He hasn’t been fighting here in how long? If he does fight it will be sometime next year.” McGregor’s last appearance in the UFC was in 2021, when he sustained a leg injury during his loss to Dustin Poirier. His planned return against Michael Chandler in June was also called off due to a broken toe. The jury at the High Court in Dublin concluded that McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. During UFC 310 fight week, the UFC requested that some journalists refrain from questioning fellow Irishman Ian Machado Garry about McGregor. The organization stated that Machado Garry wished to concentrate on his bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov, which the Kazakh welterweight ultimately won via unanimous decision, rather than discussing the matter. Separately, White was absent from Thursday’s pre-fight news conference, an event he typically presides over. However, he did answer questions at a different news conference on Friday, which was held to promote UFC 311 in January, where no questions regarding McGregor were posed. In summary, the UFC possesses the authority to prohibit McGregor from competing in the promotion. The UFC’s Athlete Conduct Policy, an external document, outlines the behavioral standards the organization expects from its athletes. It stipulates that athletes must avoid conduct that would “reflect negatively upon or bring disrepute, contempt, scandal, ridicule, or disdain to the athlete or UFC”. The policy further states that sanctions can be applied to fighters involved in misconduct, citing examples such as “violent, threatening or harassing behavior, bullying, assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct”. While the UFC has previously sanctioned athletes for policy violations, such instances are infrequent, with disciplinary measures more commonly related to in-sport conduct rather than a fighter’s actions outside the octagon. In 2015, Jon Jones faced UFC penalties twice; he was fined £19,500 for cocaine use, and subsequently suspended and stripped of his light-heavyweight title following his involvement in a hit-and-run incident. A more recent instance of UFC sanctions occurred in December 2022, when Darrick Minner was released and fighters were cautioned against training with coach James Krause, external. This followed alleged violations of betting rules by the pair, pending an investigation by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). The UFC later verified the suspension of fighter Jeff Molina as part of this ongoing investigation. Conversely, McGregor has avoided UFC punishment on multiple occasions throughout the years for conduct that could be considered a breach of its policy. In 2018, McGregor caused injuries to several fighters by throwing a metal dolly into a bus. Although the UFC did not penalize him, a US court mandated five days of community service. Months later, following his defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor participated in a significant brawl inside the octagon. The UFC again refrained from sanctioning the Irishman, though he received a six-month suspension and a fine from the NSAC. Last year, White himself was not disciplined by the UFC after footage surfaced showing him in a physical altercation with his wife. Similarly, many fighters have avoided sanctions for using homophobic slurs and engaging in altercations outside of competition. In 2019, Jorge Masvidal punched British fighter Leon Edwards backstage at an event, yet no public disciplinary action was taken against Masvidal. The UFC’s disciplinary framework operates largely at its own discretion, with the promotion frequently deferring external matters to be handled by legal authorities or the state athletic commissions that regulate its events. This contrasts with other major American sports, which routinely impose sanctions on athletes for conduct occurring outside of their respective sports. In 2021, the NFL implemented significant revisions to its personal conduct policy, incorporating penalties for behavior outside of the sport, such as domestic violence and sexual assault. As an illustration, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson received an 11-game ban in 2022 following multiple accusations of sexual assault by several women.