Dana White’s ‘Concerning’ Stance On McGregor

Dana White had little to say when questioned about Conor McGregor’s 18-month suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy.

The ban was imposed after McGregor committed three “whereabouts failures”—missing three attempted sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024. The suspension was retroactively dated to September 20, 2024, and is set to expire on March 20, 2026. The suspension will be lifted just in time for the UFC White House card in June 2026, something McGregor is targeting.

The Irishman has not had a UFC fight since breaking his leg in his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. McGregor also withdrew from UFC 303 with a broken toe he picked up in camp, which prevented his Michael Chandler fight. When asked about McGregor, White kept it brief. 

“We’re not even looking at the White House card until February. We have literally not talked about one fight on the White House card yet. We won’t even start until February. And then, whether he’s (Conor McGregor) available or not (for the event), talk to (Jeff) Novitzky about that,” White said

Implications

The negative implication is the potential damage to the credibility of the UFC’s anti-doping program. White’s deflection minimizes the severity of McGregor’s offense. This gives the impression that the rules are less strictly applied to major stars. For example, a lesser-known fighter who committed the same violation would likely be subjected to far more public scrutiny. White’s redirection suggests that a fighter’s marketability trumps the integrity of the testing system.

From a purely business and promotional standpoint, White’s stance is a strategic masterstroke in managing a valuable asset. By refusing to dwell on the suspension, White prevents the negative press cycle from gaining traction. He is avoiding providing soundbites that could further tarnish McGregor’s brand before his highly anticipated return. Instead, he immediately redirects the focus to the future event (the “White House card”) and McGregor’s target return date.