Shifting Landscapes for UFC's Biggest Star
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues to monitor the status of its most prominent athlete, Conor McGregor. Since the former two-division champion's last appearance in the cage nearly five years ago, the organization has undergone significant structural changes, most notably in how it delivers content to fans.
As of 2026, the UFC has transitioned to a new $7.7 billion broadcasting partnership with Paramount. This agreement has effectively phased out the traditional pay-per-view model for numbered events, which are now available to Paramount+ subscribers without additional fees. This transition has sparked questions regarding the earnings of high-profile athletes like McGregor, who historically relied on a share of pay-per-view revenue.
New Compensation Framework
Despite the change in broadcasting operations, UFC CEO Dana White remains optimistic about the financial viability of returning stars. Addressing concerns during the UFC 328 post-fight press conference, White noted that the organization has developed a modern approach to ensure top-tier athletes remain compensated fairly.
"There's a formula to it. McGregor's going to do just fine," White stated. "It's based on if you take the average of his pay-per-view buys, and what they do, there's an equation for that that you can — we've done it with a lot more guys than just McGregor."
The Road to a Potential Return
McGregor, now 37, has not competed since his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That contest ended in unfortunate circumstances when the Irishman suffered a serious lower-leg injury, resulting in a first-round TKO loss. While the fighter has since completed his recovery, his path back to active competition has been fraught with delays.
Notably, a highly anticipated matchup between McGregor and Michael Chandler scheduled for June 2024 was canceled just weeks before the event due to a broken toe sustained by the Irishman.
Outlook for 2026
While the promotional leader is vocal about his belief that a comeback is imminent, he clarified that a formal agreement for a specific fight has not yet been finalized.
"There's no deal done with Conor. I was just saying I'm confident," White explained. "I was confident last year, too, but I'm way more confident this year."