Conor McGregor declined fight with this opponent ahead of UFC’s White House announcement

Speculation surrounding Conor McGregor’s next fight continues to grow after revelations that the Irish superstar may have turned down a proposed matchup during the early planning stages of the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled at the White House.

The blockbuster card, set for June 14, has already generated major discussion among MMA fans. However, reports suggest the lineup could have looked very different if McGregor had agreed to a bout that was briefly considered during the promotion’s early planning.

Proposed fight involving Mauricio Ruffy

According to Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy, the UFC explored the possibility of a fight between him and Conor McGregor while building the historic card. Ruffy recently revealed that discussions around the matchup took place before the final event lineup was announced.

The rising Brazilian contender claimed the Irish star had the opportunity to accept the fight but ultimately chose not to proceed with the matchup.

Ruffy explained that the bout was floated during initial conversations about the event, suggesting that the fight could have become one of the headline attractions if both sides had agreed.

UFC White House card sparks debate

The UFC officially unveiled the full fight card last weekend, an announcement that quickly became a major talking point across the MMA community. The event had been heavily promoted for months by UFC president Dana White and former United States president Donald Trump.

Given the scale of the promotion surrounding the show, many fans anticipated a star-studded lineup featuring some of the sport’s biggest names.

However, one of the biggest surprises following the announcement was the absence of McGregor, who remains one of the promotion’s most recognizable figures and a major pay-per-view draw.

Uncertainty around Conor McGregor’s return

McGregor has not competed inside the Octagon since suffering a leg injury in 2021, leaving fans eager for clarity regarding his comeback timeline. The possibility of his involvement in the historic White House event had fueled speculation for months.

With the final lineup now confirmed and Conor McGregor missing from the card, questions continue to swirl about when the former two-division champion will finally return to action.