Conor McGregor’s long-anticipated UFC return is moving closer to reality. The countdown is already underway for the unique UFC event at the White House, part of America’s “Anniversary 250” celebrations. The high-profile showdown has drawn the attention of fighters eager to showcase their patriotism on the South Lawn.

For Conor McGregor, the spotlight is equally about flaunting his Irish pride. This will mark his second White House appearance, following an earlier visit on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, when he met Donald Trump and held a press conference hinting at his political ambitions. However, before dedicating himself full-time to politics, ‘The Notorious’ wants to fight at the White House one last time.

Conor McGregor return rumors spark after Nina Marie Danille’s latest comments

Throughout his career, he broke pay-per-view records and generated immense fan enthusiasm and revenue, creating advantages for both himself and his rivals. Conor McGregor remains under two UFC contracts, even though he hasn’t stepped into the octagon since UFC 268 in 2021, where he faced a loss against Dustin Poirier. Since that time, he has shifted his attention to various business endeavors and personal initiatives, staying away from the Octagon but still very much in the spotlight.

Earlier this month, rumors spread that the UFC had removed Conor McGregor from the roster, which stirred widespread speculation. However, Dana White quickly slammed the claims as “total bulls–t,” reaffirming that the Irishman remains a marquee talent. Moreover, on the Pardon My Take podcast, White added, “Listen, if he starts getting in shape and training, and stays the course, that’s the fight he wants. He keeps telling me he wants the fight. So we’ll see how it plays out.”

In recent days, interest around Conor McGregor’s comeback has intensified. For instance, he re-entered the UFC testing pool, submitting blood and urine samples. Today, in a video, UFC personality Nina Marie Danielle, a close associate of Dana White, said, “Men want only one thing that’s disgusting.” The post carried the caption: “The return of Conor McGregor loading.”

Even after stepping away from competition nearly four years ago, Conor McGregor continues to dominate the UFC and MMA landscape. He brought the sport global attention, introducing the UFC to regions and countries that previously had little exposure, often limited to WWE. Conor McGregor expanded the UFC’s footprint outside the United States and helped elevate stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose financial success today stems largely from high-profile bouts with McGregor.

Dana White backs ‘The Notorious’ over Jon Jones for UFC headline event

Dana White is placing his full confidence in Conor McGregor over Jon Jones, citing clear reasons for his preference. Not long ago, the former heavyweight star stood as the UFC’s marquee star and White’s favored fighter, having earned the CEO’s trust as the dominant former heavyweight champion. However, ‘Bones’ strained that trust by repeatedly delaying his title unification bout against Tom Aspinall.

Despite holding the belt for over 800 days, Jon Jones left the fight in limbo, even after White assured fans the matchup would happen. In June, ‘Bones’ shocked the MMA world by announcing his retirement, effectively shelving the interim title and leaving the unified championship unresolved. Now, Jones is reliant on Dana White to secure him a headline slot on next year’s UFC White House card.

Meanwhile, Conor McGregor is gearing up for a return, eyeing a high-profile clash against America’s Michael Chandler.  On the Jon Rome Show, White laid out his reasoning: “I trust Conor [McGregor]. McGregor has never, unless seriously injured, failed to deliver. Jon [Jones], I’m a little more skeptical about. He’s already come back, entered the testing pool, and said he wants to fight at the White House. He’s back, but we’re not talking about fights for him right now.”

What’s your take on White’s decision? After four years away from the Octagon, does Conor McGregor still possess the star power to captivate fans and deliver massive viewership? Share your thoughts below.