Conor McGregor claims his return to MMA is a ‘done deal’ for next June.
The former dual-weight UFC champion hasn’t fought since headlining UFC 264 in July 2021.
‘Notorious’ broke his leg during the first round of a trilogy fight with bitter enemy Dustin Poirier.
Four years later, Conor McGregor is preparing to make his comeback on the highly anticipated UFC White House card after reaching an agreement with the powers that be.
MMA fans have a lot of things to look forward to in 2026, but none of them come close to the sport’s greatest legend fighting again. Here are three reasons why ‘Mystic Mac’ making a comeback is the best thing that can happen next year.
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It will help take MMA to the next level
The UFC has just signed a $7.7 billion US TV rights deal with Paramount and CBS.
It’s a move that essentially brings an end to the pay-per-view model and opens up the sport to millions of new viewers.
If it goes well, the UFC could be five times as big when their seven-year rights deal ends in 2032.
What better way to introduce new people to the UFC than by having its biggest star put on the show that has convinced millions of people to part with hundreds of dollars of their hard-earned money over the past dozen years?
Many more will tune in to watch him on cable TV, and potentially become MMA fans for life after seeing the fast-paced fight sport at its very best.
The superstar problem
The UFC has had a star problem during Conor McGregor’s lengthy spell on the sidelines.
After Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar retired, he was the last UFC superstar still fighting.
Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria are two of the fighters who have tried to fill the Irishman’s void.
People love to watch them, but no active UFC star has managed to break into the mainstream for years.
Bringing McGregor back allows the company to enter a new year and a new era with a ready-made superstar.
If he wins, the next fight will be bigger than the last. If he loses, someone else can steal some of his shine and become the new superstar MMA has been craving for years.
Avoid another L
MMA has built its reputation through matching the best fighters against each other without hesitation.
In recent years, the UFC seems to have found it hard to get the matchups fans want over the line.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is the most recent example of a big fight failing to come together.
On top of that, huge stars like Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz have decided to take their talents elsewhere.
McGregor’s comeback appears to have been delayed by behind-the-scenes issues with the UFC.
If Dana White’s MMA league can’t make the big fights and keep talented athletes happy, fan interest will quickly drop off a cliff.
McGregor’s return to the Octagon will allow the UFC to avoid taking another public loss and prove that they are still capable of doing what made them so popular in the first place.