Conor Mcgregor praises White House card, sets July 11 return at welterweight

Sunday at 3: 40 p. m. ET, conor mcgregor signaled he won’t be part of the newly announced UFC White House card and instead is aiming to return on July 11. The timing follows UFC CEO Dana White’s Saturday night ET announcement of the Washington, D. C. event, which prompted McGregor’s two-word response — “love it” — despite his absence.

The card reveal crystallized weeks of back-and-forth over McGregor’s comeback date and opponent. With the White House lineup now public and headliners named, McGregor says he’s shifting to a July target while reiterating interest in a welterweight bout and leaving the long-discussed Michael Chandler matchup in the balance.

Dana White’s White House lineup and McGregor’s ‘love it’ reaction

White on Saturday night ET unveiled a high-profile White House fight card led by Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira will move to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for an interim belt. McGregor, who had been tipped to headline on the White House lawn against Michael Chandler on June 14, was not included.

Rather than protest the omission, McGregor posted the bout sheet with “love it, ” later calling it “a great card. ” He had previously said he was “up for the White House, ” emphasizing that a Chandler fight was built-in drama: Chandler’s aggressive style, his own star power, and the ease of selling the matchup. Still, he indicated the promotion pivoted away from that plan, and he’s prepared to adjust.

Conor Mcgregor eyes July 11 and a welterweight return

McGregor has confirmed he will not compete on the White House show and is instead targeting July 11, aligning with International Fight Week. He also stated his comeback will be at 170 pounds, describing himself as “a big boy” and comfortable at welterweight. He said he’s been preparing for Chandler for two years, but acknowledged the UFC may “leave Chandler” and go a different direction.

He described accepting proposed opponents “day after day” while waiting for a contract, characterizing his status as limbo. McGregor added that his manager, Audi, is slated for a face-to-face meeting in Las Vegas on Monday to advance negotiations, and he hopes “a respectable offer comes through. ” That keeps opponent and bout details fluid while fixing the calendar on July 11.

UFC 264 leg break and a new Paramount era shape the return calculus

McGregor has not fought since 2021, when he shattered his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Now he’s weighing a changed business backdrop, saying the promotion’s broadcast rights deal with Paramount effectively ends the pay-per-view model that powered his biggest purses. He also pointed to Zuffa Boxing’s $15 million one-fight contract with Conor Benn and asked, “How much do you think the Mac is worth?”

That value question sits alongside his competitive plans. McGregor said he “has to get back” and is eager to fight, while also signaling openness if the Chandler bout doesn’t materialize. He praised Chandler as “a standup guy” and “electric in the cage, ” yet emphasized he won’t be picky if the promotion moves in another direction for July.

White’s White House bill, which pairs Topuria with Gaethje and elevates Pereira versus Gane for an interim heavyweight title, sets a high bar for star power in June without McGregor. Still, McGregor’s reaction — swift endorsement followed by a firm July target — suggests the promotion can roll out a separate summer tentpole built around his return, with welterweight matchmaking options still in play.

The business stakes are explicit in McGregor’s remarks. He said he dominated the old pay-per-view model and wants to translate that pull into streaming-era records. With a new rights framework and a headline boxing deal cited as comparables, he’s framing July 11 not just as a comeback date but as a test of his market-setting value.

The next concrete step is the Monday meeting in Las Vegas involving McGregor’s manager and UFC executives, with bout terms and opponent to be finalized afterward. More details are expected Monday ET, with July 11 positioned as the target for McGregor’s welterweight return.