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This week came a massive shocker in the form of UFC’s former two-weight champ Conor McGregor. Thursday evening, the UFC Roster Watch account on X reported that the fighter was no longer on the official listings.
The account (@UFCRosterWatch) has been reliable in tracking the Athletes’ List in the past and thus sent everyone into a frenzy. Here is a breakdown of what is known so far.
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Conor McGregor breaks silence on rumored exit
McGregor has not fought in any capacity since his 2021 TKO leg break to Dustin Poirier; lightweight Poirier himself has called it quits after a massive BMF title fight at the UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 PPV headliner.
The Irishman is standing on the last leg of his contract, with only 2 fights left. Recently. Conor McGregor reentered UFC’s drug testing pool so that he could make the White House PPV concept card in 2026. The fighter has been more than hopeful for a return, and when the claims came forward, McGregor quickly shut it down.
UFC CEO Dana White responded on his socials that this was ‘total bullsh*t’ — and ‘Notorious’ followed suit. In his usual X-rated tweet-and-delete spree, he dumbed down a fan account that was stoking the pullout gossip fire.
Yes Conor is still showing on the UFC Stat website. I never received so many messages of disbelief that he is actually gone LOL. This is my log file which has never been wrong, and he is showing as removed. pic.twitter.com/5f4l5PmmeK
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) August 14, 2025
Deleted in 7 minutes. Nice. pic.twitter.com/Va7P3JKYEk
— Al Zullino (@phre) August 14, 2025
The fan MMA account @AndyHickeyMMA quipped that his last yacht-testing and post about ‘pe*ing excellence’ might have provided horrid results to cut him this fast. With the bossman providing updates that he’ll be back, the Team SBG Ireland fighter said his first test came out clean.
If he passes the DFSI pool, athletic commissions can allow him to fight very soon, after the six-month phase. Which is well enough time to make the White House PPV card. Then why the hush-hush?
Prominent MMA outlets/voices weigh in on the matter
Roster fighters can often be added/removed or replaced with no basis or relation to their contractual status. To top it off, McGregor is already loaded and a rehashed contract won’t (probably) bring in much changes for just 2 more fights. He is at a stale position until his return.
UFC likes to negotiate fights from a position of power, and contractual renegotiations would shape into nothing new to give them an edge. McGregor himself is also a highly contentious figure outside of fighting.
Fight fans were quick to speculate that on the last leg of his run, Conor McGregor was being dragged along on reserve till the new exclusive broadcast rights deal. It’d make sense given he’s such a big ammo and PPV draw throughout the years. But now that the seven-year $7.7B deal with Paramount+ and CBS is done, fans think UFC Execs perhaps considered this a good time to let go of him.
Top MMA Journo Ariel Helwani discredited this line of thought on his socials and on his show for ‘Uncrowned’ Combat.
Conor McGregor HAS NOT parted ways the UFC.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 14, 2025
Both @TheNotoriousMMA and his team confirmed this to me.
He also confirmed he is back in the pool, has submitted tests and all have come back clean.
“It’s all systems a go,” he said.
The UFC Roster Watch account on X doubled down on not trusting screenshots or IG snaps of White or anyone saying McGregor is still in. While it’s still all touch-and-go, bossman White has given his vote of confidence on the matter.
Dana White more confident about Conor McGregor than Jon Jones for White House return
Much like Conor McGregor, ex-UFC HW Jon Jones also entered the drug testing pool a while ago. Having been an all-around fighter and on the Mt. Rushmore of many peers, a fight card on USA’s 250th birthday celebration on July 4, 2026, seemed he best prospect to return.
Jones marred the optics of it as it meant his gimmicky retirement would be very short-lived. Talking on Jim Rome’s (@jimrome) ‘Sirius 161 / XM 206’ Show, the MMA supremo affirmed Jones was in the testing pool. However, he namedropped Notorious as a more reliable option to star in the White House card!
Dana White is asked if he trusts Conor McGregor and Jon Jones to headline the UFC White House card
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 14, 2025
“I trust Conor… Jon I’m a little more skeptical about.” 😬
🎥 @jimrome #UFCpic.twitter.com/Occ9qBIZaw
That is to say, the Dubliner’s return might be imminent after all. Four years away from a combat return, the fight world has grown weary of any little parcel of news on the matter. The fact that rumors of McGregor’s supposed pullout rang so many bells overnight is a testament to how much everyone awaits his comeback.
