UFC president Dana White believes we will see Conor McGregor back in the UFC Octagon, and hasn’t declined any contests put to him by the UFC.
White was speaking with BT Sports in Las Vegas, where he was asked his opinion on a number of topics, including his answer to recent claims by MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz that McGregor had turned down a contest with Justin Gaethje. According to White, that’s completely false.
“No, Conor hasn’t turned down anything,” White said. “Listen, Ali can say whatever, Conor doesn’t turn down fights. Period. Conor has been one of the most stand up — when things get crazy and most people pull out of fights, Conor McGregor stays in. McGregor isn’t afraid to fight anyone so, yeah, that is absolutely false.”
"Conor has not turned down ANY fights."
"When things get crazy and most people pull out of fights @TheNotoriousMMA stays in."
Dana White reveals that he expects McGregor to return to the octagon this year 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1c2ECRbxib
— Watch UFC 239 live on BT Sport Box Office (@btsportufc) June 12, 2019
Right now, the UFC lightweight division remains as interesting for the Irishman as it ever has. Names like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier and more all make for interesting match ups upon McGregor’s return. For now, White says, we’re waiting to see a few things play out before we know what’s next.
“Conor’s in a position where he’s sitting back right now, I think waiting to see how this whole thing plays out with all these guys but he should pop up soon,” White said. “Yeah, I think we’ll see him this year.”
