Dana White Shares Updates on Potential Returns for Islam Makhachev and Conor McGregor

Makhachev's Return Timeline Adjusted

Following the conclusion of UFC Seattle, UFC CEO Dana White provided critical updates regarding the future of some of the promotion's biggest stars. Addressing the status of pound-for-pound leader and champion Islam Makhachev, White sought to correct speculation surrounding his next title defense.

While reports citing Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggested a return as early as July, White offered a slightly different outlook.

"[His manager] Ali [Abdelaziz] was out there talking and saying July. It's August that we're looking at,"

White stated during the post-fight press conference.

As Makhachev looks to cement his dominance at the top of his division, the stakes for his next outing are high. While the promotion is working to finalize the details, the specific opponent and the venue for this marquee matchup currently remain unconfirmed, despite vocal interest from top-ranked contenders such as Ian Machado Garry.

The Ongoing Saga of Conor McGregor's Comeback

The situation regarding Conor McGregor remains as complex as ever. The former double-champion has been sidelined since 2021, yet he remains a central figure in discussions about the sport's future. Addressing persistent rumors regarding a potential July return, White indicated that the situation is far from resolved.

Regarding a specific date for McGregor, White was candid:

"Possibly. Nothing's done, nothing's even remotely close to being done."

Despite the lack of a concrete agreement, White maintains a sense of hope:

"I am optimistic he'll fight. I was pretty optimistic at the end of last year. End of last year, going into this year, I'm still confident."

The path to McGregor's return has been historically difficult, frequently hampered by scheduling conflicts and physical setbacks. While recent reports have suggested that productive meetings occurred earlier this year—fueling speculation of a potential matchup during International Fight Week—White’s current comments underscore that nothing has been finalized. For now, the sport's biggest star remains a "maybe" for the 2026 calendar.