McGregor open to 'no name' opponent in potential UFC return - ESPN

ESPN

by Brett Okamoto

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Conor McGregor has once again hinted at a potential UFC comeback, expressing his willingness to face an unnamed opponent in 2026. In a recent social media post, the former two-weight champion wrote, "It's a no name up next for me possibly, folks," and urged the UFC to send him a contract. This comes after McGregor deleted a previous post where he claimed to have accepted an offer for an opponent and a date. The 37-year-old has been out of action since July 2021, with his last fight ending in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. McGregor’s return has been a topic of speculation for years, particularly around the UFC’s planned White House event in June 2026. However, his past attempts to reschedule fights, including a high-profile withdrawal from a bout against Michael Chandler due to injury, have raised questions about his availability and focus. UFC CEO Dana White has indicated openness to bringing McGregor back but emphasized that he would not face Chandler again. This has left the door open for a new opponent, potentially at welterweight or lightweight. The uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s return adds intrigue to his potential matchup. With three of his last four fights in the lightweight division and one at welterweight, it remains unclear which weight class he might target next. His proposed fight against Chandler in 2024 was scheduled for five rounds at 170 pounds but ultimately fell through due to injury

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/22/2026