TLDR
- Dana White says he’s “not even thinking about” Conor McGregor’s next fight until after knee surgery and recovery
- McGregor wants a trilogy with Max Holloway after their UFC 329 fight ended in 69 seconds due to knee injury
- White cited McGregor’s age and five-year layoff, saying “Father Time is undefeated”
- UFC 329 generated $25 million in ticket sales and nearly 16 million U.S. viewers despite the quick ending
- White will not discuss future fights until McGregor completes physical therapy and is cleared for full training
Sources: middleeasy.com | mmamania.com
UFC CEO Dana White has put the brakes on any discussion about Conor McGregor’s fighting future, telling reporters he’s “not even thinking about it” until the Irish fighter completes knee surgery and recovery. The comments come after McGregor publicly called for a trilogy fight with Max Holloway following their disastrous UFC 329 main event last weekend.
McGregor injured his knee just 69 seconds into the highly anticipated rematch with Holloway on July 10 in Las Vegas. Despite the fight ending almost immediately, UFC 329 recorded its highest gate of all time with $25 million in ticket sales and drew nearly 16 million U.S. viewers on Paramount+.
The former two-division champion has already started lobbying for another shot at Holloway once he recovers. McGregor stated he was “primed, fit, healthy” before the injury occurred and wants to fulfill the final fight on his UFC contract against “Blessed.”
White Cites Age and Long Layoff
White expressed skepticism about rushing into plans for McGregor’s return during an interview with Spinnin Backfist on Friday. “Conor still has to have knee surgery and go through everything he’s going to have to go through,” White said.
Dana White refrains from commenting on a Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway trilogy
"When you're his age and you've taken five years off, Father Time is undefeated. He's looking into knee surgery and is going to undergo physical therapy. Once the doctor says, 'Hey, you're ready to… pic.twitter.com/n3SvNoYMUp
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) July 18, 2026
The UFC boss pointed to McGregor’s age and five-year absence from competition as factors that cannot be ignored. “I understand he’s very unhappy with the way shit played out but you’re a human being, you’re older, you haven’t fought in five years and Father Time is undefeated,” White stated.
White also questioned what the landscape will look like by the time both fighters are ready. “So who the fuck knows what’s going to happen with Max over the next year and what’s going to happen with Conor over the next year?” he said.
The UFC had originally planned to bring McGregor back in April 2027. However, the knee injury sustained at UFC 329 has thrown that timeline into doubt.
Surgery and Recovery Come First
White made clear he will not discuss any future matchmaking until McGregor completes his medical treatment and rehabilitation. “I don’t even think about that type of stuff until it becomes a reality,” the UFC CEO explained.
He outlined the specific conditions needed before fight talks resume. “When Conor reaches out and says ‘I finished all my physical therapy, I’m in a good place, they told me I can train full time now,’ we’ll start thinking about what’s next,” White said.
Many fans and bettors lost money on the failed comeback attempt. Thousands of people spent considerable sums traveling to Las Vegas specifically to see McGregor’s return to the Octagon after such a long absence.
White emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the situation and refused to speculate on potential matchups. “I don’t know, I’m not even thinking about any of that stuff. It’s so long and so far away, it doesn’t matter,” he concluded.
