LAS VEGAS – More than two weeks after Conor McGregor lost a high-profile sexual assault civil trial, Dana White finally broke his silence – sort of.
On Nov. 22, a 12-day civil trial concluded with a jury finding McGregor liable for assault stemming from a 2018 claim by a woman, Nikita Hand, that she was raped by the UFC star in a Dublin hotel room during a night of partying. As a result, the jury ordered McGregor to pay Hand approximately $260,000 in damages. A judge also ruled that McGregor must pay Hand’s legal costs associated with the case.
Prior to the court’s ruling, there was plenty of uncertainty about McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) returning to the UFC. He was scheduled to make his highly anticipated comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, but the bout was scrapped after McGregor withdrew due to a broken pinky toe.
When asked during the UFC 310 post-fight news conference for a reaction to McGregor losing his sexual assault case, White offered nothing.
“What do you mean what’s my reaction?” White responded. “If I had a comment I would’ve put it out already.”
White previously said he doesn’t see McGregor returning until 2025. Now with McGregor’s reputation taking a hit and multiple business partners dropping him, White’s opinion on McGregor’s timeline to fight for the UFC hasn’t changed.
“He hasn’t been fighting here in I don’t know how long,” White said. “If he does fight, it’ll be sometime next year.”
Dana White gives his first comment on Conor McGregor and the ruling of his civil case in Ireland and says “if he does fight it will be some time next year.” pic.twitter.com/nrlhrJgpfT
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 8, 2024
McGregor hasn’t competed since breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He has since filmed Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” opposite Chandler but wound up withdrawing from their scheduled bout this past June.
Chandler moved on from the fight when he was booked in a rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. He lost the bout by unanimous decision but still expressed interest in rescheduling his fight with McGregor.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
