Eddie Alvarez has stated that he has not bought into any of the hype surrounding former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor’s potential return to the cage. McGregor, who has been out of the Octagon for nearly five years following a leg injury sustained in his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, has recently stirred talk by showing interest in fighting in a special UFC event planned at the White House in 2026. This event coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, and UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed discussions about the logistics of hosting a fight at the White House.
Despite McGregor’s enthusiasm and teasing possible comeback opponents like Michael Chandler and Mike Perry, former rivals remain skeptical, with Alvarez expressing doubt that McGregor will actually return. Alvarez mentioned that any potential fights involving McGregor would be handled by UFC officials, not him or other fighters, but he noted Chandler and Perry as intriguing potential matchups. McGregor famously knocked out Alvarez at UFC 205 to become the UFC’s first simultaneous double-division champion. Recently, McGregor and Bare Knuckle FC star Mike Perry shared a playful and intense interaction, feeding speculation around a potential fight between them in bare-knuckle boxing.
While Perry is preparing for his BKFC return with notable opponents like Darren Till and Robbie Lawler on the horizon, McGregor continues to publicly push for his UFC return. However, many of his former opponents remain doubtful that the Irish star will make a full comeback, leaving fans to wait and see if McGregor’s story in the UFC is truly over.
Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans because a potential McGregor return, especially in a high-profile event like the UFC at the White House, could reignite interest in the sport and bring mainstream attention back to the Octagon. McGregor’s presence always garners huge viewership and hype, which can benefit the UFC and the sport’s global growth, but the skepticism from past rivals also adds intriguing drama about whether this comeback will actually happen.
