UFC star Conor McGregor has confirmed that he plans to make a return to the Octagon in 2026. It’s been over four years since McGregor last fought in the UFC, but he remains a major figure in mixed martial arts. His last fight was at UFC 264, where he suffered a leg injury against Dustin Poirier. Although McGregor was set to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303, he pulled out due to injury.
McGregor has vacillated about his comeback for nearly a year since withdrawing from UFC 303, but recent remarks by former President Donald Trump, who announced a UFC event scheduled for 2026 on the White House lawn to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, seem to have reignited his desire to compete. UFC CEO Dana White has announced plans for a larger event than last year’s Las Vegas card, and McGregor hinted at his interest with a brief response, though he has yet to fully commit.
Recently, Bare Knuckle FC President David Feldman claimed McGregor told him privately that he is planning a UFC comeback. McGregor himself responded by acknowledging that he is back in the UFC testing pool and preparing for a return, promising fans to “be prepared” because significant action is coming at the White House event. However, McGregor has not undergone any drug tests in 2025 yet, leaving uncertainty about the timing of his return.
McGregor also issued an ultimatum to UFC, stating he would only come back if the promotion signed his younger teammate, Lee Hammond. Meanwhile, former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who recently retired but plans to return, could join McGregor in headlining the historic 2026 event. Jones was stripped of his heavyweight title after retirement, with Tom Aspinall now the undisputed champion expected to defend later this year.
This forthcoming UFC card at the White House has the potential to be a monumental event, especially with two of the sport’s biggest stars—McGregor and Jones—possibly making their comebacks. The next few months will be crucial in determining if these fighters are serious about stepping back into the Octagon.
Fan Take: For fighting fans, McGregor’s confirmed plans to return inject a thrilling sense of anticipation and hope for high-stakes matchups in the near future. This could mark a historic moment for the sport, blending iconic fighters’ legacies with a unique and unprecedented venue, potentially drawing massive global attention to MMA.
