Conor McGregor may finally be inching closer to his long-awaited UFC comeback, and this time the optimism is coming straight from the highest.
During a recent appearance with Jim Rome, UFC CEO Dana White said he’s “extremely confident” McGregor will fight this summer, adding that “numerous great things” are happening behind the scenes. For a fan base that has spent months sorting through speculation, delays, and uncertainty surrounding the previous two-division champion, White’s latest remarks feel just like the strongest public indication yet that McGregor’s return might be back on the right track.
🚨 BREAKING: Dana White just announced that Conor McGregor will return this summer 👀
“I’m extremely confident it’ll occur this summer. There are numerous great things occurring behind-the-scenes that make me very confident that he’ll fight this summer.”
(via @jimrome) pic.twitter.com/iyCeeI44Qn
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 7, 2026
White stopped in need of naming an opponent or confirming an event, but his tone immediately reignited conversation across the MMA world. Anytime McGregor’s name surfaces, it becomes considered one of the game’s biggest stories, and this latest update isn’t any different.
The Irish superstar has not competed within the Octagon since his 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier, a fight that ended with McGregor suffering a broken leg. Since then, comeback plans have been discussed repeatedly, but no official return has materialized.
That’s what makes White’s confidence so notable. The UFC boss has often been measured when discussing McGregor timelines, especially after previous plans didn’t cross the finish line. This time, nevertheless, he sounded much more certain, which suggests real progress could also be going down behind closed doors.
In fact, until the UFC proclaims a date, opponent, and venue, skepticism will remain. Nevertheless, McGregor has been linked to a possible opponent at this 12 months’s International Fight Week, but he has let down his fans time and time again. Still, White’s comments have added real fuel to the idea that considered one of MMA’s biggest stars might be headed for a summer return.
If that happens, it could immediately develop into one of the vital significant UFC events of the 12 months — each for the promotion and for a fighter trying to reestablish himself in the game’s elite.
Conor McGregor may finally be inching closer to his long-awaited UFC comeback, and this time the optimism is coming straight from the highest. During a recent appearance with Jim Rome, UFC CEO Dana White said he’s “extremely confident” McGregor will fight this summer, adding that “numerous great things” are happening behind the scenes.