Conor McGregor Ramps Up Training For UFC White House Return

January 7, 2026

Conor McGregor has ramped up his training ahead of his rumoured return at UFC White House this summer.

The Irishman is expected to return at UFC White House against Michael Chandler on June 14, and has increased his graft in the New Year.

Conor McGregor Increases Training Load For UFC White House Return

Conor McGregor helped homeless people over the Christmas and New Year period, but is now back in the gym as he ramps up training ahead of his rumoured return this summer.

The former two-division simultaneous UFC champion is eyeing a return at UFC White House on June 14 in what would be his first MMA fight in almost five years.

The last time fans saw McGregor in the UFC was when he lost his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier back in July 2021, breaking his leg in the process. Since then, McGregor has seemingly gone off the rails, whilst also getting in trouble with the law.

However, the 37-year-old seems to have got himself back on the straight and narrow in recent months as he eyes his return at UFC White House this summer in Washington.

pic.twitter.com/xkApgqMdHA

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 6, 2026

McGregor has continued to tease a super-fight with Michael Chandler at UFC White House, which seems to be the front-runner to act as the main event on the South Lawn come Sunday, June 14.

The former featherweight and lightweight king began training again at the back end of 2025, but looks to have upped his training regime into the New Year as his return date draws closer and closer.

The Irishman has taken to social media to share recent snaps of him in the gym, where it is evident he has been putting the graft in.

Some of the snaps show McGregor sparring, as does a video circulating on social media of McGregor and an unknown training partner wrestling and grappling on the mats whilst also striking on the feet.

It seems that ‘Notorious’ really is serious about his UFC return this time, as if evident with him increasing his training load.

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/2008868167737876768

Conor McGregor Serious About UFC Return This Time Around

There have been countless times before when Conor McGregor has taken to social media or done an interview revealing his ambitions of returning to the UFC.

On multiple occasions the Dubliner has promised he would return to the octagon, but as of yet hasn’t fulfilled his word. That looks like it’s about to change this time around.

It seems evident from the way McGregor is acting on social media that he really is serious about his UFC return at UFC White House this summer.

He has been back in the gym alongside long-term coach and friend John Kavanagh in Dublin for several weeks now, even months, and is now ramping up his training with even more graft as the New Year progresses.

Fun times @danawhite, @ufc!@FloydMayweather, when you are ready for that promised MMA bout, I am here.

The White House is nice in the summer I heard. 🏦

Just kidding Mike!

Although 🤔… I could fight both the same night.

Floyd MMA? EASY. 10 seconds. pic.twitter.com/hVWl0oOxHo

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 6, 2026

That can only be good news for MMA fans, who are desperate to see the former two-weight simultaneous UFC champion back in the cage once and for all.

It looks like McGregor will face Michael Chandler at UFC White House, if indeed both men are fully fit and UFC President Dana White officially announced the bout in the coming weeks.

If the Chandler fight falls through, McGregor also has several more options. The likes of Nate Diaz, Mauricio Ruffy, Justin Gaethje or even Max Holloway are just some of the names ‘Notorious’ could face upon his return if the Chandler bout doesn’t materialise.

McGregor even called out former foe Floyd Mayweather for a rematch, this time in the cage rather than in the boxing ring.

It remains to be seen who McGregor fights at UFC White House, but it seems he is undoubtedly serious about his return and is upping his training right now.