White responds to McGregor’s call for Holloway rematch after injury

By Mason Reed — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

McGregor’s Injury and Call for Rematch

Conor McGregor, the former two-division UFC champion, is facing a recovery period following a leg injury sustained during his comeback fight at UFC 329. Despite the setback, McGregor has already expressed his desire for his next opponent, stating that his final fight under his current UFC contract “has to be Holloway.” This comes after his recent bout, which lasted only 66 seconds, ended with him blowing out his knee from the first kick thrown. McGregor believes the result of that fight should be changed to a no-contest.

McGregor’s last appearance in the Octagon prior to UFC 329 was in July 2021, where he faced Dustin Poirier and suffered a fractured left ankle. His recent injury occurred during his first UFC fight in five years. He revealed on social media that he would receive results from a scan of his leg and confirmed he did not have any pre-existing injuries before the fight. Following surgery, McGregor plans to undergo rehabilitation, return to practice, and prepare for his next bout.

The fighter also took to social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to answer fan questions, explaining his reasoning for wanting to fight Holloway again. He described feeling “fully calm and relaxed” during the fight, comparing it to going to a shop for lunch, with the opponent being the lunch. McGregor also attempted to justify his opening move, a jumping roundhouse kick, stating he could have taken a phone call in the center of the octagon due to a perceived lack of immediate forward attack.

He later indicated that engaging with followers might have been a mistake and began deleting some of his responses. McGregor also addressed speculation about drug use, dismissing the idea that he was on mind-altering substances. He stated that he is awaiting surgery and planning his recovery, emphasizing that he requires more time under extreme discipline.

Dana White’s Perspective on McGregor’s Return

UFC CEO Dana White has commented on McGregor’s request for a rematch with Max Holloway, indicating that such discussions are premature given McGregor’s current injury and recovery timeline. White stated that McGregor still needs to undergo knee surgery and complete his rehabilitation. He acknowledged McGregor’s unhappiness with how the fight unfolded but highlighted the impact of time and age, noting that McGregor had not fought in five years.

White emphasized the unpredictability of the situation, questioning what might happen with both Holloway and McGregor over the next year. He explained that he is not considering potential matchups until McGregor is fully recovered and ready to compete again. The CEO clarified that he would only begin to think about McGregor’s next steps once the fighter communicates that he has completed physical therapy, is in a good place, and has medical clearance to train full-time.

Holloway has previously expressed interest in a third fight against McGregor. However, White noted that Holloway emerged from the recent fight unscathed, making it unlikely he would remain sidelined indefinitely while awaiting McGregor’s return. The recovery period for a torn ACL, if that is the nature of McGregor’s injury, could range from 9 to 12 months, though specific details of his injury have not yet been released.

Future Considerations for the UFC

Beyond the immediate fight, White also mentioned that he has not given much thought to the promotional strategies for McGregor’s eventual return. While McGregor’s comeback at UFC 329 generated higher viewership than the UFC White House card, the abrupt end to his fight might deter some fans from his next appearance. However, White reiterated that he would not speculate on the UFC’s plans for McGregor until he is healthy and prepared to fight again.

McGregor, for his part, has confirmed his intention to compete again, noting that his next fight will mark the final bout on his current UFC contract. Despite McGregor’s clear intentions, White remains focused on the immediate recovery process, stating, “I’m not even thinking about any of that stuff. It’s so long and so far away, it doesn’t matter.”

The fighter’s immediate future remains uncertain as he awaits surgery and begins his path to recovery, with scan results for his leg expected soon.

Source: sports.yahoo.com

Mason Reed

Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.