TLDR
- Conor McGregor is training for a comeback fight at the UFC White House event in June 2026
- Coach John Kavanagh confirms McGregor is in the gym early most mornings and has requested a training program through June
- McGregor’s anti-doping suspension ends in March 2025 after receiving an 18-month ban for three whereabouts failures
- Michael Chandler remains the preferred opponent for McGregor’s return fight
- McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021
Conor McGregor has returned to serious training for a UFC comeback. His longtime coach John Kavanagh confirmed the Irish fighter is preparing for the White House card scheduled for June 2026.
Kavanagh told Ariel Helwani that McGregor has asked him to create a complete training program leading up to the June date. The coach said McGregor is showing up to the gym early most mornings and appears to be enjoying the process.
“He’s asked me to basically lay out a program between now and June of how we’ll ramp up our training,” Kavanagh said. “He’s showing up again. He’s back in the gym most mornings, early.”
McGregor last fought in July 2021 when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That loss marked his third defeat in his last four fights. His only win during this stretch came in January 2019 against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
Training Already Underway
The 37-year-old fighter has already tasked his coach with assembling a team of suitable training partners. Kavanagh said training will take place both at the gym and at McGregor’s house.
McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024. That bout fell through when McGregor broke his toe just two weeks before the event. The injury came after McGregor accidentally struck a training partner’s elbow.
🚨 Conor McGregor's coach, John Kavanagh, says Conor is all-in on making his return at the UFC White House event 👀
"On our end, we're 100% in. He's asked me to basically lay out a program between now and June on how we'll ramp up our training.
He's showing up again, he's back… pic.twitter.com/nr2xfN9PHh
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 17, 2025
McGregor is currently serving an 18-month anti-doping suspension that was handed down in October. The ban came after three whereabouts failures with the testing program. Because the suspension was backdated to September 2024, McGregor will be eligible to compete again in March 2025.
Chandler Remains Target Opponent
Kavanagh confirmed that Michael Chandler is still their preferred choice for McGregor’s comeback fight. The two fighters previously served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter reality show before their canceled June 2024 bout.
“Chandler’s not being quiet about wanting to be that guy,” Kavanagh said. “I think the match-up makes sense. I think it’d be a fun one.”
The coach believes the stylistic match-up works well for McGregor. He noted that Chandler’s shorter, stockier wrestler build is a type McGregor has faced before in his career.
Kavanagh also mentioned that McGregor sent him multiple messages after UFC 322 on Saturday night. The fighter expressed interest in fighting multiple opponents but remains focused on securing a spot at the White House card.
Questions About the Return
UFC fans and analysts have questioned whether McGregor will commit to the rigorous training required for a successful comeback. The fighter has been seen frequently at social and public events during his time away from competition.
Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion, expressed doubt about McGregor’s return. He stated that he told people two years ago that McGregor would not fight again.
Conor McGregor's coach gets honest about preparing for potential UFC White House fight 🤼🇺🇸
Full details: https://t.co/MkGnXeO0Id pic.twitter.com/dIK08s7BZv
— Sportskeeda MMA (@sportskeedaMMA) November 19, 2025
There are also business considerations for the UFC. McGregor has historically generated some of the biggest gate revenues in combat sports history. The White House venue has limited capacity of less than 5,000 people, which could impact the financial equation.
Kavanagh acknowledged that management and contractual details are beyond his involvement. From a training perspective, he said McGregor is fully committed to fighting in six to seven months.
“If it’s Conor’s choice, he’s in,” Kavanagh said. “I don’t know how it’ll work with the UFC.”
The coach also noted that McGregor has undergone what he described as a spiritual journey. He said there is a different energy and mindset from McGregor compared to previous comeback attempts.
McGregor has two fights remaining on his current UFC contract.
