Conor McGregor is teasing the fight world again, folks. On February 18, the former two-weight UFC champ posted (and then swiftly deleted) a piece of news on X, claiming he’s officially accepted a fight. His post read:
“I have been offered an opponent and a date and I accept. Waiting on my contract.”
The brief announcement ignited speculation. It comes just days after UFC president Dana White confirmed the fight card for a historic White House event, scheduled for June 14, 2026, was “built” and nearly finalized. McGregor hasn’t competed since UFC 264 in July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier. We’ve been eagerly waiting to see him back, and the timing of this X post was crazy, hinting that a White House showdown could be on the horizon.
The Irishman didn’t reveal his opponent, though. However, chatter points to a Michael Chandler or a Nate Diaz trilogy bout, with other names like Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington also in the mix. Analysts suggest the deletion could be a tactical move: negotiating leverage, a typical McGregor media stunt, or UFC guidance to control the official announcement.
McGregor will be eligible to fight on March 20 after completing an 18-month anti-doping suspension. Meanwhile, White has tempered expectations, noting that while the card is “built,” matchups are still being finalized:
“We have like two different options laid out, and the matchmaking process has already started. We got the White House card done last week… I didn’t say it was done; I said the card was built.”
If the 37-year-old’s comeback lands, it’d mark his first fight post-suspension and his first octagon appearance since a Dublin civil case ruling. The fight world is watching, and McGregor knows how to make sure every eye is on him.
Matt Brown Slams UFC for Leaning on Conor McGregor to Hype White House Event
Matt Brown isn’t buying the hype around the UFC’s White House event. The June 14 showdown on the White House lawn has been billed as “the biggest event ever.” However, Brown doubts the promotion has the star power to pull it off. He claims the UFC is leaning on McGregor’s name purely as bait to grab fan attention, even though the Irishman isn’t officially confirmed to fight.
“They’re using him to promote it and using his name to get out there. He’s not fighting on that s—, bro. And even if that is signed and a done deal, I’m not gonna believe it until he’s inside the Octagon and a punch is thrown. Who do they have for stars? Particularly American, right, but just stars all around and I think that’s a risk to take to only be doing six or seven fights because you know this sport, you could get six or seven boring fights, easily.”
Brown points out the current roster lacks marquee names outside of a few, like Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira. With only six or seven fights on the card, the risk of underwhelming matchups is high. Even a Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje main event might not have the draw fans expect, leaving Conor McGregor’s rumored comeback as the UFC’s main promotional hook.