LAS VEGAS – UFC CEO Dana White shut down rumors of a Conor McGregor return fight announcement during UFC 300.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has recently been the main source of stirring up rumors about his return date, but according to the promotion boss, things are not set at the moment. “The Notorious” has said he will return to face Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at International Fight Week in Las Vegas, which would be UFC 303 in June.
McGregor’s latest teaser was a photo posted to Instagram of him facing off with someone wearing a yellow Teletubby costume, with a caption that reads: “THE FIGHT IS ON! MCGREGOR VS. CHANDLER! See you on the date I said.”
Reporters at the Power Slap 7 post-event news conference asked White if McGregor could headline International Fight Week.
“I saw the post,” White said. “I don’t know what the Teletubby means, but it could be. Hopefully. That’s what we want to do.”
The June event does not yet have a main event announced, and it appears White and the promotion would be up for McGregor and Chandler to fill the marquee.
White was later asked if fans could expect any surprises during the UFC 300 broadcast, which he took as another hint at a McGregor fight announcement.
“No, I don’t think there’s any surprises,” White said. “I know what you’re talking about and it’s all internet bullsh*t. I can honestly sit here right now and tell you we do not have a deal done for the Conor fight. So, I know there’s lots of rumblings, people expect the f*cking place to go black, and some big announcement, they’re expecting them to walk out – it’s all internet bullsh*t, like NBC News.”
White did not indicate an urgency to get pens to paper in the final hours before UFC 300 so that a last-minute announcement could be made at the event. However, fights can and have come together quickly in the past. As it currently stands though, the UFC boss encourages fans to tune out the “internet bullsh*t.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
Dana White dismisses potential Conor McGregor announcement at UFC 300: ‘It’s all internet bullsh*t’