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UFC President Dana White has strongly refuted speculation that Conor McGregor has been removed from the promotion’s roster, just weeks after the Irish superstar re-entered the mandatory drug testing pool.
McGregor’s comeback journey
Conor McGregor has not stepped inside the Octagon since July 2021, when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. His much-anticipated return was scheduled for UFC 303 in June 2024 against Michael Chandler, but the bout was called off after McGregor sustained an injury during training.
Last month, David Feldman, McGregor’s business partner in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), revealed to DAZN that the former two-division champion had re-entered the UFC’s drug testing program — a mandatory step for any comeback.
Feldman recalled Conor McGregor telling him, "I'm in the testing pool, I'm getting ready to make my comeback. I'm going to fight on that [White House card, announced by US President Donald Trump]. Then I'm going to have another fight, and then we can talk."
This statement fueled excitement among fans, signaling a possible return to action.
Shock roster update sparks confusion
On Thursday afternoon, things took an unexpected twist. The Twitter account “UFC Roster Watch” — which tracks official fighter status changes — posted that McGregor had been removed from the UFC roster. The news came without warning and immediately set the MMA community buzzing.
Given McGregor’s recent training videos, public declarations of a comeback, and Dana White’s earlier hints at a potential fight, the report was met with widespread disbelief. Many speculated whether this was due to a clerical issue rather than a deliberate move by the promotion.
Dana White’s blunt response
When asked about the rumors, White didn’t mince words. Responding on Instagram, the UFC boss wrote: “Total BULLS*.” His sharp rebuttal made it clear that Conor McGregor’s status hasn’t changed in any official capacity.
Just a day earlier, White had appeared on the ‘Pardon My Take’ podcast, where he discussed McGregor’s desire to compete on a proposed UFC card at the White House.
"If you see, he's been posting videos of himself training. He's back in the [drug testing] pool now. He wants the White House card," Dana White said. "Listen, if he starts getting in shape and training, and stays the course, that's the fight he wants. He keeps telling me he wants the fight. So we'll see how it plays out."
What’s next for Conor McGregor?
While the roster confusion remains unexplained, Conor McGregor’s recent actions — from rejoining the testing pool to intensifying his training — suggest that the 36-year-old is serious about stepping back into the cage. Whether that will happen at the much-talked-about White House card or another high-profile event remains to be seen.
For now, Dana White’s firm stance appears to have put the removal rumors to rest, keeping McGregor’s comeback hopes very much alive.
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