Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has been out of active competition in MMA’s No. 1 promotion, the UFC, for almost four years at press time. Fans of the one nicknamed “The Notorious” will remember that their favorite fighter’s last trip to the fabled Octagon was one that he’d like to forget.
In July of 2021, Conor McGregor came off of a second-round knockout by way of punches against Dustin Poirier (30-9, 1 NC MMA, 22-8, 1 NC UFC) looking to avenge the defeat in a trilogy fight during the main attraction of UFC 264 from T-Mobile Arena in Enterprise, NV. This nontitle fight was an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to close out the show.
However, the evening failed to go according to plan for the McGregor camp. As you’ll recall if you bought the PPV that night on ESPN+, Conor McGregor could not continue in the fight beyond its opening round in the wake of sustaining a broken ankle.
Conor McGregor With Legendary Quotes After Losing to Poirier for Third Time
This was followed by a memorable Octagon interview with Joe Rogan where McGregor went off on Dustin Poirier.
“This is not over!,” Conor McGregor exclaimed that summer night, drawing cheers from the audience. “If I have to take this outside with him, it’s on outside!”
In the aftermath of the injury he suffered four years ago, he believed for a moment that he wouldn’t fight again in the UFC. A planned return to the cage for last year’s International Fight Week which would have seen Conor McGregor square off against Michael Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC), was canceled prior to the show at UFC 303 in the wake of another injury, this time to his foot.
Since then, it’s been nothing but radio silence from the McGregor camp. Everything changed early Friday morning.
Conor McGregor Eager to Fight at The White House in Washington
Late Thursday evening, US President Donald Trump made an appearance at the Iowa state fairgrounds for a speech to begin the Independence Day holiday weekend. During the address, the president mentioned that he’s expressed a desire to hold a UFC card at The White House next year on the Fourth of July.
“We have a lot of land there,” Trump began. “So every one of our national parks, battlefields, and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250, and I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight.”
The UFC subsequently reiterated Trump’s goals to have a show at The White House. While it’s still too far away to determine whether or not the card in DC will take place on July 4, 2026, Conor McGregor is pumped up about the idea.
“Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight at the White House,” Conor McGregor posted on X Friday morning. “I would be honoured! Count me in!”
Happy 4th of July, USA. 🇺🇸
Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House.
I would be honoured! Count me in! 🤩☘️
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 4, 2025
Conor McGregor Would Make Amazing Comeback if Card Takes Place, and Don’t Count Out Jon Jones
As previously stated, if this UFC event at The White House does, in fact, happen at this time one year from now, it’ll be an incredible show. The promotion has held cards on military bases, major US cities, and in some of the top international markets.
A show on the grounds at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, DC, however, would top them all by a country mile at minimum. If there’s a big star that the UFC would need to headline the show, Conor McGregor would be the top dog on the promotion’s list.
Should the fight happen, it would be McGregor’s first appearance in the Octagon in five years time, but Conor McGregor isn’t the only man interested in fighting in Washington a year from now.
Earlier Friday, Jon Jones (28-1, 1 NC MMA, 22-1, 1 NC UFC), who made headlines on June 21 when Dana White revealed that “Bones” retired from active competition, seemingly threw his hat into the ring for the show at The White House by announcing that he’s back in the USADA testing pool.
“Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open,” Jones tweeted earlier Friday. As it stands, Tom Aspinall is the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion after Jones retired two weeks ago.
Final Thoughts
There’s a year to go until this possible UFC show takes place in Washington. Will Conor McGregor and/or Jon Jones make an appearance inside the Octagon?
Only time will tell.
