Latest news with #WhiteHouseFight
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Conor McGregor takes major step towards UFC comeback ahead of White House event
Conor McGregor has taken a huge step towards making his long-awaited UFC return as he sets his sights on a fight at the White House. McGregor has not competed in the UFC since losing back-to-back bouts to Dustin Poirer in 2021, with an anticipated return against Michael Chandler last year falling apart at short notice due to injury. It looked increasingly unlikely that 'The Notorious' would ever be seen in the Octagon again, appearing to make a foray into politics as he pledged to run for Ireland's presidency, while also reiterating his public support for US president Donald Trump. However, with a supercard at the White House now touted for the 250th anniversary of American independence, McGregor has been incentivised to rejoin the UFC testing pool. That's according to business partner David Feldman, president of McGregor-owned promotion BKFC, who told Ariel Helwani of the Irishman's intention to return. 'He told me in person,' Feldman said. '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 going to have another fight and then we can talk.'' Trump announced his plans for a UFC fight at the White House for July 4, 2026 in Iowa to kick off this year's independence celebrations, and said the card would include 'a championship fight, full fight, like 20-25,000 people.' The president has attended several UFC fights in recent months and is close friends with Dana White, the president of the world's premier MMA organisation. McGregor paid the White House a visit earlier this year for St Patrick's Day, commending Trump's "inspiring" work ethic, while the president reciprocated by praising McGregor's own work rate, describing him as "fantastic'. The Irishman is a former two-division champion in the UFC but has now become synonymous with his controversies outside of the Octagon. a civil-court jury found he had raped a woman in Dublin in 2018. McGregor, who denied a claim that he 'brutally raped and battered' the woman, said he would appeal the verdict, which required him to pay over £200,000 in damages.
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Connor McGregor suggests interest in competing in White House UFC fight: 'Count me in'
UFC star Conor McGregor hasn't fought since July of 2021, but he may have his eyes set on a marquee event next year. After President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a UFC fight would take place on White House grounds next year, McGregor reacted to the news with a seeming eagerness to participate, on social media. "Happy 4th of July, USA. Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House. I would be honoured! Count me in!" McGregor wrote on X. McGregor later re-shared his post with a photo of him and Trump in the Oval Office. In March, McGregor said he will be running for president of his home country of Ireland as well. On Friday, the fighter followed up on his post expressing interest with a bold prediction about participating in next year's White House fight as the sitting president of the country. "July 4th next year is a Saturday, regarding President Trumps UFC White House event. I will be reigning President of Ireland just under 1 year when I step out on the lawns of the White House to throw down. Epic proportions! Or as I like to call it, Tuesday at the office. Vote McGregor," he wrote on X. In March, McGregor visited the White House and criticized the Irish government in an attempt to raise awareness of "the issues the people of Ireland face." "Our government has long since abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland, and it's high time that America is made aware of what's going on in Ireland. What is going on in Ireland is a travesty. Our government is a government of zero action and zero accountability," he said during an appearance alongside White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on March 20. In terms of his fighting career, McGregor has long touted his return to the octagon after his first attempt last June came to an unfortunate end due to a training injury. In April, McGregor said he would only return to fighting for an event that would take place in a large stadium. "I'll only come back to a stadium," he wrote in a post on X after WrestleMania 41, which was held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. McGregor, 36, last fought in 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier after breaking his leg during the fight. He was slated to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, but the fight was called off after he broke his toe during training. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
