Plans for Conor McGregor's UFC return have been revealed after a bombshell was dropped by David Feldman, the president of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
McGregor has been in the news for all of the wrong reasons of late, having been spotted kissing a mystery woman on a beach as well as being accused of sending unsolicited nude pictures to a female rapper.
His various misdemeanours and controversies have threatened to overshadow his MMA career, with McGregor not fighting in UFC since a 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier - where he broke his leg in the first round.
After signing up as a coach for the Ultimate Fighter for the second, the Irishman was slated to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 but McGregor pulled out after suffering a broken toe.
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The 37-year-old has regularly teased a return to the Octagon but Dana White has often poured cold water on any talk.
However, on Tuesday night, Feldman, who is business with McGregor in the BKFC promotion, gave a major update when appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Having seen him face off against former UFC fighter Mike Perry, Feldman was asked whether fans could see McGregor make his debut in BKFC but proceeded to reveal that McGregor told him he has returned to the UFC testing pool ahead of a huge comeback on the planned White House card.
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"He’s got two fights left on his contract," Feldman said.
"He’s got to get right. The whole world’s waiting: Is he going to get in shape and fight?
"He told me in person. He whispered in my ear, he said, 'I'm in the testing pool.' He said, 'I'm getting ready to make my comeback. I'm going to fight on that big card and then I'm gonna have another fight and then we can talk.'
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump shared plans for a mammoth card to be held on the grounds of the White House in Washington, DC to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence on 4 July 2026.
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McGregor and Jon Jones, who reversed his retirement decision, have both expressed interest in competing at an event which White believes will be the most memorable in UFC history.
"Like when we did the Sphere. It's the Sphere on steroids," White said on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.
"It's gonna be a one-of-one event. There'll be nothing like it ever again."
Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC
Josh Lawless