Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor reacts during the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in Marbella.
Image: JORGE GUERRERO / AFP
The question on every fight fan's mind: Will Conor McGregor fight in the UFC again?
UFC President Dana White addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Irish fighter during the UFC 310 Post-Fight Press Conference.
White revealed that if McGregor returns, it will likely be sometime in 2024.
“He hasn’t been fighting here in how long? If he does fight, it will be sometime next year,” White said.
McGregor's potential comeback has been overshadowed by his recent legal battles. Dublin’s High Court recently ruled against McGregor in a civil rape case.
The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, accused him of assaulting her in 2018, resulting in significant physical and emotional harm. The court awarded Hand £200,000 (around R4,556,458) in damages.
McGregor has consistently denied the allegations, claiming the encounter was consensual, and has vowed to appeal the ruling.
McGregor's last UFC bout was in 2021 when he suffered a leg break in a loss to Dustin Poirier.
His highly anticipated 2023 comeback against Michael Chandler was cancelled after he broke his toe.
While McGregor has yet to face disciplinary action from the UFC for his legal issues, the promotion's Athlete Conduct Policy outlines strict guidelines for fighter behaviour.
Violations can result in sanctions, fines, or even contract termination.
The policy lists examples of misconduct, including:
You can read the full UFC Athlete Conduct Policy here.
The UFC has disciplined fighters in the past for violating its policies.
In 2015, Jon Jones was fined £19,500 (over R443,525) for cocaine use and later stripped of his title following a hit-and-run incident.
In December 2022, the UFC terminated Darrick Minner's contract and issued a warning to fighters training with coach James Krause after allegations of betting violations.
Jeff Molina was also suspended as part of the same investigation, which remains ongoing.
However, McGregor has largely avoided UFC-imposed penalties despite several controversies.
In 2018, McGregor threw a metal dolly into a bus, injuring multiple fighters. While an American court ordered him to complete community service, the UFC did not impose additional punishment.
Later that year, McGregor was involved in a post-fight brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov, another incident that went unpunished by the promotion.
The UFC’s approach to disciplining its fighters often depends on external legal rulings and the discretion of state athletic commissions.
Whether McGregor will face consequences or return to the octagon in 2024 remains uncertain.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the story unfolds.
kim.kay@iol.co.za
IOL
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