Dana White says Conor McGregor won’t fight in 2020
Conor McGregor is not fighting in 2020 according to UFC President Dana White.
In an interview with Barstool Sports on Monday, Aug. 3, White said the former featherweight and lightweight champion will not enter the octagon this year. It’s mostly stemming from McGregor’s retirement post on Twitter back in June.
Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting.
Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!
Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins!
Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you!
Whatever you desire it’s yours ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Dh4ijsZacZ— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 7, 2020
“This year, he is retired,” White said to Robbie Fox of Barstool Sports. “He doesn’t have a fight this year and he won’t have a fight this year. Conor McGregor will not fight in 2020. … I guarantee he will not fight in 2020.”
According to multiple reports, McGregor planned to fight three times this year. Those plans altered when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
He most recently returned from over a two-year layoff inside the cage, beating Donald Cerrone by TKO in 40 seconds at UFC 246 this past January.
McGregor grabbed a lot of attention recently with a cryptic, “I accept” tweet on July 30. Many speculated a possible return for the Irishman.
White said he still thinks McGregor could return in 2021, but 2020 is out of the question.
I accept!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 30, 2020
“I’m not focused on anything with anybody who’s not fighting,” White said. “Conor McGregor is retired. Do we all believe he’ll stay retired? I think most of us don’t believe he’ll remain retired.”
What he’s done
The former Cage Warriors 145 pound and 155 pound champion made his UFC debut back in April 2013. He rattled off six-straight victories, including five finishes to earn a featherweight title shot against Jose Aldo.
He knocked out Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in December 2015. McGregor then made a move to welterweight, suffering his first UFC defeat to Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in March 2017.
He avenged the defeat in his next fight and followed up by stopping Eddie Alvarez via second-round TKO to become the first person to hold two championships simultaneously in the UFC.
McGregor then entered the boxing world, losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via TKO in the 10th round in August 2017. He re-entered the octagon at UFC 229 in October 2018, losing via fourth-round submission to current UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
