Conor McGregor vs Khabib: Dana White makes very disappointing statement ahead of UFC 229
CONOR MCGREGOR and Khabib Nurmagomedov won't be taking part in a world tour ahead of their eager-anticipated grudge match, UFC president Dana White has revealed.
'The Notorious' will be welcomed back to the Octagon by Nurmagomedov, his successor at the summit of the lightweight division, at UFC 229 on October 6.
McGregor's eagerly-anticipated bout with Nurmagomedov will be the biggest in UFC history, which is in part down to the Irishman attacking a bus carrying 'The Eagle' at the UFC 223 media day in Brooklyn.
The magnitude of the fight led many to believe that the UFC would set up whirlwind world tour like they did for McGregor's bout with Jose Aldo and his much-maligned boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
But according to White, there isn't enough time to make such a tour happen.
"We're not planning a world tour, but we'll do some fun stuff for the media and the fans," White told ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
"This is an easy fight to promote, but we'll put in the work."
White doubled down on that statement in the UFC 227 post-fight press conference, saying: "No we don't have time for a world tour.
"These guys are going to fight in the first week of October. Both guys are going to go into camp.
Conor McGregor to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229
No we don't have time for a world tour
"I'll do something fun. We'll do some different stuff.
"I'm literally having a big meeting on Monday to get all this stuff in order and get it order. But you guys will know soon."
White is looking forward to seeing McGregor take on the undefeated Nurmagomedov and believes the contest will be the biggest in the promotion's history.
"It's a massive fight," White told Fox Sports. "I knew this was the fight to make.
"And I believe that this the biggest fight in the history of the company, other than the Mayweather fight.
"This thing is going to be massive."