Conor McGregor’s next fight: Dana White gives update on contract talks
THE UFC are still in the process of negotiating a new contract with Conor McGregor, the promotion’s president Dana White has revealed.
Conor McGregor, UFC lightweight champion
McGregor, 29, hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon since claiming the lightweight title at UFC 205, a card which saw him create history by becoming the first fighter in the promotion’s history to hold two titles simultaneously.
His hiatus from the cage was initially down to the imminent arrival of his son, Conor Jr, who was born in May.
It was extended in June when it was announced that he’d take on Floyd Mayweather Jr in a multi-million-pound boxing match, which he lost via a tenth-round TKO.
A little over a month after losing his professional boxing debut, McGregor declared that he wouldn’t return to the UFC unless he's given shares in the company.
White emphatically ruled out the prospect of McGregor holding equity in the promotion, claiming he’d negotiate a bumper new deal with ‘The Notorious’ in the coming weeks.
Conor McGregor challenges press as he leaves court
We’re working on a new deal with him
And according to the man himself, negotiations are currently still ongoing.
“Right now, with him, it’s not about defend of vacate,” White said at a recent media day. "We’re working on a new deal with him.”
Dana White says the UFC are still negotiating a new contract with Conor McGregor
When asked if McGregor’s return to the Octagon could take place in March or April, White added: “Yeah, we’ve got to work out this new deal.”
McGregor’s first fight back in the UFC is expected to be a lightweight title unification bout with interim 155lbs champion Tony Ferguson.
Conor McGregor celebrates his historic UFC 205 victory over Eddie Alvarez
Ireland's first UFC belt holder revealed his desire to return to the promotion on Friday night during a brief interview with TMZ, in which he said: “We’ll see what happens.
“I think a true fight is what I want to do next. A real fight, what’s a real fight? MMA next.”