DANA WHITE has broken his silence on Conor McGregor’s horrific assault case – and left the door open for the Irishman to return to the UFC.
The MMA promotion’s poster boy was last month found liable of assaulting a woman – Nikita Hand – at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
Conor McGregor was last month found liable to have assaulted a woman at a Dublin hotel in December 2018Sportsfile
REUTERSThe ruling – which he’s vowed to appeal – cast doubt over McGregor’s UFC future[/caption]
GETTYDana White has left the door open for ‘The Notorious’ to return to the UFC next year[/caption]
McGregor was accused of “raping and battering” Ms Hand on the day in question, an accusation he strenuously denied.
The civil verdict has cast serious doubt over the Irishman‘s long-awaited UFC return.
The UFC didn’t initially comment on the ruling, which McGregor has repeatedly vowed to appeal.
But President and CEO White offered the promotion’s first official comments on the matter early on Sunday morning.
He said in the UFC 310 post-fight press conference: “What do you mean what’s my reaction?
“If I had a comment I would have put it out already.”
White revealed last month that the promotion had earmarked late 2025 for McGregor’s return, which was initially slated to take place against Michael Chandler in June.
And he’s seemingly NOT closing the door on the Dubliner entering the octagon again.
Does Conor McGregor have any chance of continuing UFC career?
FORMER UFC champion Conor McGregor was found to have assaulted a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury found on Friday.
The 36-year-old was accused of “brutally raping and battering” Nikita Hand in December 2018.
He will now have to pay Ms Hand 248,603.60 euros in damages.
Despite losing his case, McGregor has vowed to appeal.
The Irishman’s future in MMA and UFC is now in doubt. He hasn’t been in the octagon since July 2021 when he broke his leg and was stopped against Dustin Poirier.
Here’s what SunSport’s chief MMA reporter Chisanga Malata had to say about the situation…
“The ruling, which came in a civil court, not a criminal court, has given the UFC arguably its biggest-ever headache in its 31-year run. MMA chiefs will now have to make a major decision over their poster boy.
“Personally, I think he fights again. There is a precedent for it. Just look at the man who fought Jake Paul last week.
“Of course, I’m talking about former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was sent to jail in the 1990s for rape. He came out and he had a successful career after that, making millions upon millions of pounds before retiring in 2005.
“Sadly, there is a precedent for it. But the UFC now has a massive decision to make. As I said, I think he fights again. I think they stick to the plan that was announced last week at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference and they have him fight late 2025.
“Perhaps they said late 2025 in anticipation of this ruling not going McGregor’s way and giving some time for this to blow over – even though something of this magnitude can never, ever blow over.
“I believe McGregor will fight again barring a sensational decision from Dana White and all the investors and they axe their poster boy. But I just don’t see that happening and I do see him returning to the octagon late next year.
“Questions will have to be asked of the UFC and rightly so. But more so of the man himself, Mr McGregor.”
White continued: “He hasn’t been fighting here in how long? If he does fight, it’ll be some time next year.”
McGregor, the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion, was ordered to Ms Hand £206,000 ($250,000) in damages.
But he’s seemingly optimistic the ruling at Dublin‘s High Court WON’T effect his fighting career.
The former feather and lightweight champion wrote on X: “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes.
“I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.
“I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.
“I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.
“That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym – the fight game awaits!”
McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier over three-and-a-half years ago.