The timeline for Conor McGregor’s recovery and eventual return to the octagon has been set.
In the wake of McGregor’s short-lived return at UFC 329 and confirmation of an injured ACL and meniscus, a lengthy layoff was expected. That layoff became clearer on Sunday and Monday, with both Dana White and McGregor himself providing more clearly defined expectations.
At a press conference for a Zuffa boxing event on Sunday night, White told reporters that “Conor McGregor’s out for a year.” The remark from White came after McGregor posted a vague video of a leg workout on his Instagram page.
McGregor’s video was followed by a post on Monday in which he wrote: “What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset. IFW 2027 The Last Dance.”
IFW 2027 is a reference to International Fight Week, which the UFC typically puts on around June or July. In 2026, International Fight Week culminated with UFC 329, during which McGregor suffered his knee injury.
After his brief return to the octagon against Max Holloway, McGregor has one fight left on his UFC deal. Though no opponent for McGregor’s next, and potentially final, fight in the UFC has been named, Holloway has already floated the possibility of a third bout between the two rivals.