Ali Akbar Rosady
UFC CEO Dana White has unequivocally dismissed recent speculation regarding a potential bout between Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal for the highly anticipated UFC White House card. The rumors gained traction following White’s recent comments, which appeared to push back the timeline for McGregor’s long-awaited return against Michael Chandler. White, speaking to TMZ, characterized the swirling reports as "goofy sh*t," indicating a complete lack of official basis.
The prospect of McGregor facing Masvidal emerged as an alternative narrative after White seemed to scoff at the notion of McGregor finally settling his score with Chandler in 2026. This comment left many fans and pundits questioning McGregor’s immediate future, especially given his expressed desire to return to action sooner. Against this backdrop, Masvidal, who had previously announced plans to come out of retirement, became a central figure in the rumor mill, fueled by a well-documented history of animosity and verbal exchanges with the Irish superstar dating back several years.
Despite the intensity of the online chatter, White maintained a detached stance. "I don’t listen to any of the goofy sht. It’s goofy sht," White stated when directly questioned about the McGregor-Masvidal pairing. He further elaborated on his disengagement from the online MMA discourse, asserting, "The MMA world, I don’t listen to any of that sh*t. So literally none of that is on my algorithm. Almost everything you see on the internet about our sport is wrong. It’s all wrong." White emphasized his personal filtering of social media content, adding, "You know what’s funny? In my algorithm on Instagram, I have nothing MMA. Literally nothing MMA pops up." This suggests a deliberate effort by the UFC executive to remain insulated from unofficial reports and fan-driven speculation, preferring to operate within the confines of confirmed organizational plans.
Matchmaking for the UFC White House card, an event scheduled for June 14, is not expected to commence in earnest until after UFC 324 concludes on Saturday night. White indicated that once UFC 324 is in the rearview mirror, the organization will begin the process of finalizing the marquee matchups for the White House event. He anticipates having at least the top three fights secured shortly thereafter and plans for the entire card to be "dialed in" by the second week of February. This timeline provides a clear window for official announcements, contrasting sharply with the current environment of unverified reports.
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Conor McGregor’s Protracted Absence and Anticipated Return
Conor McGregor, widely regarded as the biggest draw in mixed martial arts history and the UFC’s first-ever simultaneous two-division champion (featherweight and lightweight), has been conspicuously absent from active competition since July 2021. His last appearance, a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, ended prematurely with a gruesome broken leg in the first round. The injury necessitated extensive recovery and rehabilitation, marking the longest layoff of his illustrious career.
Since then, McGregor’s return has been a constant subject of discussion and anticipation. He was initially slated to make his comeback in 2024, headlining a highly anticipated clash with former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. The two served as opposing coaches on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter, a platform traditionally used to build hype for a subsequent fight between the coaches. However, this planned return was derailed when McGregor sustained a broken toe during training, forcing him off the card and extending his period of inactivity. This was a significant blow to the UFC’s event planning and to fans eager for his return.
Despite these setbacks, McGregor has recently been highly active on social media, posting numerous photos and videos showcasing his rigorous training regimen. These updates have fueled optimism that he is nearing full fitness and is actively plotting his return, with the June 14 White House card seemingly a primary target. McGregor’s career record stands at 22 wins and 6 losses, with notable victories over Jose Aldo, Eddie Alvarez, and Nate Diaz, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most impactful figures. His last win was a 40-second TKO over Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in January 2020. His recent losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier (twice) have left fans curious about his current competitive level.
Jorge Masvidal’s Brief Retirement and Potential Comeback
Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal, known for his dynamic striking and aggressive fighting style, also carries a significant profile within the UFC. Masvidal rose to prominence in 2019 with a sensational year that saw him score a flying knee knockout of Ben Askren in a record-setting five seconds, followed by a dominant TKO victory over Nate Diaz to claim the ceremonial "BMF" (Baddest Motherf***er) title. His career record currently stands at 35 wins and 17 losses, featuring victories over top contenders such as Darren Till and Donald Cerrone.
Masvidal announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in April 2023, following a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. This marked his fourth consecutive defeat, having previously fallen to Colby Covington and twice to then-welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Despite his declaration, Masvidal recently expressed intentions to return to competition, a move that immediately ignited speculation about potential opponents. His decision to consider a comeback, coupled with his previous verbal exchanges with McGregor, positioned him as a plausible, albeit unconfirmed, adversary.
The History of Bad Blood
The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal, while never culminating in an actual fight, has simmered for several years. The animosity largely stemmed from Masvidal’s consistent critiques of McGregor’s activity level and his perceived willingness to face only certain opponents. Masvidal, a gritty veteran known for fighting anyone, anywhere, often implied McGregor was avoiding legitimate challenges. McGregor, in turn, has occasionally engaged with Masvidal’s comments, sometimes dismissing him and other times hinting at a potential clash.
One notable incident occurred in 2019 when McGregor was ringside for Masvidal’s fight against Nate Diaz for the "BMF" title. Following Masvidal’s victory, McGregor made comments suggesting he was interested in challenging for the "BMF" belt himself, a notion Masvidal openly welcomed, stating he would "baptize" McGregor. This exchange, though years old, laid the groundwork for the current rumors, as both fighters operate in the same general weight classes (welterweight being a comfortable division for both, although McGregor has primarily fought at lightweight).
Uncertainty Surrounds UFC White House Card
With White’s latest comments, the picture for the UFC White House card remains largely unclarified regarding McGregor’s opponent. The UFC CEO has now seemingly nullified two primary candidates – first pushing back the Chandler fight and now explicitly denying the Masvidal rumors – at least for the immediate future. This leaves the door open for other potential matchups, or a re-evaluation of the previously dismissed options as the official matchmaking process commences.
The event itself, while named the "UFC White House card," has not been explicitly confirmed to take place at the White House, or even in Washington D.C. The moniker typically implies a high-profile event designed to attract significant attention, often involving major political figures or themes, though the exact nature and location are yet to be revealed. The anticipation for McGregor’s return, regardless of opponent, remains immense, given his star power and the significant time he has spent away from the Octagon. As the UFC moves past UFC 324 and into its February matchmaking window, more definitive answers regarding the highly anticipated June 14 event are expected to emerge.
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