Dana White responds to Conor McGregor saying his final UFC fight ‘has to be’ against Max Holloway

Conor McGregor has publicly stated that his next UFC fight must be against Max Holloway to settle their unfinished business, but UFC CEO Dana White has downplayed the prospect, saying he is not thinking about McGregor's return matchups until the Irish fighter is fully recovered from knee surgery.

McGregor's comeback at UFC 329 lasted only 66 seconds before he suffered a serious knee injury on the opening kick. He has since indicated he believes the result should be changed to a no-contest and remains determined to face Holloway again, despite not having competed for five years.

White acknowledged McGregor's frustration with how the fight played out but emphasized the unpredictability of the recovery timeline. A torn ACL typically requires 9 to 12 months of rehabilitation, and White made clear the UFC will not begin planning McGregor's next opponent until the fighter has completed physical therapy and confirmed he is cleared to train full-time.

"I don't even think about that type of stuff until it becomes a reality," White said. "When Conor reaches out and says 'I finished all my physical therapy, I'm in a good place, they told me I can train full time now,' we'll start thinking about what's next."

While McGregor's UFC 329 return drew strong viewership numbers, White has not begun planning how to promote his eventual comeback, noting it is too far in the future to speculate. For now, the focus remains on McGregor's recovery, with Holloway free to pursue other fights rather than wait indefinitely.