Dana White makes shock Conor McGregor announcement amid UFC return rumours

Dana White has made an announcement regarding Conor McGregor.

Over the last few months, there have been reports linking McGregor with a potential return to UFC.

However, according to White, the Irishman would have to wait a little bit longer.

When asked about a potential UFC bout between McGregor and Michael Chandler on The Pat McAfee Show, White said: “Eventually. Hopefully this year. There is no date. I’m hoping for the fall. [Hopefully] we get it done in the fall.”

Speaking in January, Chandler told MMA Fighting: “I’m not going to lie to you and say there weren’t moments of frustration.

“Moments of, ‘Screw it, fight somebody else!’ That’s what everybody was saying I should do for months now.”

He added: “But I signed my name to this contract, made this commitment. I want to fight Conor. He wants to fight me. It’s just not on everybody’s timeline.”

Chandler’s last fight came in November 2022 when he featured at UFC 281.

Meanwhile, McGregor’s last visit to the Octagon came in July 2021 at UFC 264, when he lost to Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas.

Speaking during an interview with talkSPORT back in December, McGregor said: “Get me back in there. The Mac has lots to offer and loads to deliver.

“For all the figures I’ve brought in this game, I sell more than all of them combined.”

He added: “No one in the history of the fight game has been treated the way I’ve been getting treated at this minute.

“From what I came through, to what I bring. They f****** should open the floodgates for me. I’m waiting! And my patience is wearing thin on me waiting.”

On a potential fight with Manny Pacquaio, McGregor said: “They are talking Manny here in Saudi. The lads in the UFC aren’t really talking any. So, the lads here are talking Manny, the UFC aren’t talking any.

“Give me something. I’m supposed to be back in April. It was supposed to be December!”