Dana White had a change of heart after seeing this Conor McGregor performance.
The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion returned six years ago today for his first fight since a devastating grudge match loss in 2018.
After McGregor was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov, he sat out for 15 months before making the walk again for the main event of UFC 246 on January 18, 2020.
The Irishman went back up to welterweight for a showdown with Donald Cerrone, a move that the UFC president thought was ill-advised given his 1-1 run in the weight class against Nate Diaz.
But White was left eating his words in less than a minute on fight night…
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CHANGE MY MIND: Conor McGregor is the UFC’s greatest legend
'Notorious' took MMA to the next level at the height of his legendary career.
Conor McGregor proved Dana White’s welterweight stance wrong with 40-second UFC 246 knockout
‘The Notorious’ suffered his first defeat in the UFC when he made his 170-pound debut. McGregor tapped out to Diaz before later avenging that loss in their five-round rematch.
Despite getting the better of the Stockton native second time around and plotting more fights at welterweight, White did not like McGregor’s chances of success in the heavier division.
In 2019, the UFC president dismissed talk of the Irishman fighting Jorge Masvidal due to the size discrepancy. And ahead of UFC 246, White even suggested that ‘Cowboy’ may prove to be too big for McGregor to handle.
That was ultimately not the case, with McGregor running through Cerrone in just 40 seconds to announce his return to the Octagon in violent and memorable style.
“I was blown away,” White said at the UFC 246 post-fight press conference, before admitting he was wrong to doubt McGregor’s welterweight capabilities.
“He looked unbelievable. You won’t hear another peep out of me about (him) fighting at 170. He came out fast, he hit hard, and he had a great game plan.”
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Jorge Masvidal teases Conor McGregor fight at the White House
Talk of McGregor and Masvidal facing off inside the UFC Octagon has resurfaced this year, despite both men being inactive.
Having not competed since 2021, the Irishman is planning his comeback for the UFC event at the White House this June. It is a similar story for ‘Gamebred’, who is expecting to return from retirement on the card in Washington D.C.
The ‘Notorious’ sweepstakes recently reopened after White ruled out McGregor fighting Michael Chandler in 2026. Soon after, Masvidal teased a clash with McGregor taking place at the White House.
“I can’t really say too much, but I am training for something big,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie. “Something very big.
“I have some fight news coming soon, and it’s very big news. And I can’t deny or confirm (if it’s McGregor).
“I’m Trump’s favourite fighter, just remember that at all times,” he continued. “I can’t deny or confirm any of that right now, but hopefully soon I can. Maybe in 10 days, something like that.”
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