Fans hoping to see Conor McGregor back in the octagon this summer may need to temper their expectations after Dana White appeared to significantly cool on the idea of a deal getting done anytime soon.
The situation gained traction after MMA journalist Ariel Helwani suggested during a Friday night show that an announcement regarding McGregor’s return was expected within 24 hours. However, no announcement came.
When White was later asked about McGregor’s contract situation and whether a deal was close, he struck a far less certain tone.
“There is no deal done with Conor,” White said. “I was just saying I’m confident. I was confident last year, too. But I’m way more confident this year.”
According to the Morning Kombat crew, White’s comments represented a noticeable shift from the optimism he had previously shown regarding McGregor’s comeback.
“That actually was quite a walk back,” co-host Chuck Mindenhall said. “It just seemed to me like he no longer is certain that it’s going to get done. This tells me there’s some kind of contractual snag at the end here.”
Thomas then broke down what he believes are the major sticking points in the negotiations. The first, he suggested, is likely financial. With Jon Jones reportedly seeking around $30 million per fight, McGregor could realistically be asking for $50 million or more given his star power and pay-per-view drawing ability.
Thomas also pointed to the UFC’s recently secured multi-billion-dollar media rights deal as a reason McGregor may believe the promotion can afford to meet his demands.
The second issue, according to Thomas, could be even more complicated. McGregor reportedly still has two matches remaining on his current contract, but those terms were negotiated under an older UFC structure that may no longer align with how the company handles deals today.
“Whatever money he would make competing against Nate Diaz in the UFC, he would make two times that competing against him outside,” Thomas said while explaining why the UFC likely wants to secure McGregor to a longer-term extension instead of allowing him to complete the remaining bouts and leave the promotion.
That situation creates a layered negotiation, where both sides are not only discussing individual purses but also attempting to establish the framework for a brand-new long-term agreement while sorting through the complications of McGregor’s current contract.
“They do not want him to walk,” Mindenhall said.
Thomas agreed and stated, “Conor being on Netflix is something they probably never want to see.”
Adding further uncertainty to the situation, White was also asked about a potential match between McGregor and Dustin Poirier during International Fight Week. White clarified that the matchup had never been officially announced and was not a done deal, suggesting the UFC’s summer plans involving McGregor remain far from finalized.
