Should The UFC Extend Conor McGregor’s Contract?

Conor McGregor’s UFC future is in the balance after he hinted that the UFC may offer him a new deal. 

McGregor is arguably one of the biggest stars of the UFC, despite his inactivity. His last appearance was against Dustin Poirier in 2021 at UFC 264 where he suffered a broken leg in his loss. His comeback fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 never happened after the Irishman pulled out due to a broken toe.

Conor still has two fights left remaining on his deal. He has said he wants to fight at the UFC White House event next June, saying a deal is done. However, that claim has been refuted by White, who has said fight talks will only begin in February. McGregor is also a part-owner of BKFC, as his future is up in the air. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I miss the fight game. I am excited for what’s ahead. I know Dave [Feldman] wants me in Bare Knuckle. UFC are concocting a new contract deal or whatever’s going to happen. I don’t know, we will see. We take it day by day,” McGregor said

The Implications

The most compelling reason for the UFC to secure McGregor immediately is the preservation of its brand value and the necessity of holding the historic UFC White House event. McGregor remains the single most bankable star in MMA history. His kick-off presser for the Chandler fight sold out in just nine minutes before the fight was called off, showing he is still a big name.

The potential threat of BKFC is a strong motivator. If the UFC allows his contract to expire, McGregor could instantly walk into a rival organization, bringing his immense audience and PPV pull with him. This would be a massive lift for BKFC and a public relations nightmare for the UFC. 

Conversely, extending McGregor’s contract presents a massive operational and competitive risk for the promotion. His recent history is marred by severe cancellations and injuries. The fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 was derailed by a broken toe, and his loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021 was caused by a broken leg. This pattern shows that booking McGregor is incredibly unreliable.

Competitively, extending his contract means paying top dollar for a fighter who has been out of the octagon for over four years and has lost three of his last four bouts. The UFC would be gambling a significant portion of their budget on a fighter whose best days may be behind him, tying up resources that could be used to build active champions and develop new talent. McGregor has said he wants $100 million to fight on the card, while also demanding 100 US Golden Visas for family and friends, brining the total to $200 million.