White confirms McGregor’s next fight in “early 2025”

UFC President, Dana White has confirmed that Connor McGregor will have his next fight in early 2025, shutting down any speculations that the former champion would be having any fights this year.

McGregor was billed to have his first fight in three years against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, which was held in June until the fight was called off at the last minute due to a toe injury by McGregor.

Since then, there have been various rumours about a possible fixture happening before the end of the year involving the Irish fighter, all of which have now been shut down.

White made his recent revelation while speaking with New York Post Sports, where he mentioned that he had always held that McGregor would not fight this year, even when the UFC 303 fixture was set, adding that Connie’s next appearance would be in 2025: “Let me tell you this, I was the one this year saying I don’t think he’s going to fight this year, amid all the talk and everything else, even the fight being set up in the press conference.

“Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025. He’s had so much time off, but as far as hunger is concerned, he’s a very wealthy guy. We’ll find out. We’ll find out when he comes back, but he is definitely one of the big superstars of the sport that elevated the UFC all throughout Europe and other parts of the world. He’s been a big star and a great partner for us.”

This is not the first time White is saying something like this. Just last month, he said the same thing in a video that went viral – and McGregor replied to it, insisting that he was still going to fight in December: “Ah Dana, December is the date! Bring the calendar year home with a winning event! Come on now, what’s this? I am off to altitude next month to prepare. DECEMBER! Tell Dana and UFC WE WANT DECEMBER! WE DESERVE DECEMBER!”

Whether McGregor’s position on that has changed remains to be seen, but it seems like White’s position carries some weight and seems to have been made after the two met, so there is some sort of alignment in opinions. However, it remains to be seen, and the next few weeks will definitely confirm McGregor’s future in the UFC.