McGregor, UFC’s White to Meet at Trump Inauguration Amid Tensions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Conor McGregor and UFC President Dana White are set to reunite at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, marking a rare public appearance together amid ongoing tensions between the fighter and his promoter.

The former dual-weight UFC champion, who has been sidelined since a trilogy bout in July 2021, has had a strained relationship with White during his absence from the Octagon. Despite their differences, both will attend the high-profile event in Washington, D.C., where Trump will be sworn in for his second term.

McGregor’s long-time coach, John Kavanagh, shared a photo on Instagram of the two standing in front of a private jet, captioning it, “Will be a memorable birthday! Heading to the inauguration with the champchamp. Thanks for the invite @thenotoriousmma we’ve had some memorable Jan18ths!” McGregor later tweeted, “Just landed in Washington DC to witness @realDonaldTrump become Double Champ! #Exceptional #ChampChamp.”

White, who attended UFC 311 earlier on Saturday, rushed through his post-fight press conference to catch a flight to the capital. His arrival was confirmed by Kyle Forgeard of the Nelk Boys, who posted on Instagram, “Hitch hiked with uncle @danawhite from LA… big weekend let’s go.”

Speculation about McGregor’s future has been rampant in recent weeks, with rumors of a potential boxing match against Jake Paul gaining traction. However, White dismissed the idea during an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast, stating, “No, no, no,” when asked if McGregor would fight Paul. He added, “Hopefully, Conor McGregor returns in the fall of this year.”

The inauguration provides an opportunity for McGregor and White to discuss the fighter’s return to the UFC. McGregor, known as “Mystic Mac,” has been courted by the boxing world since his high-profile bout against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Whether he will return to MMA or explore other opportunities remains uncertain.

As the two prepare to celebrate Trump’s inauguration, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for any signs of reconciliation or hints about McGregor’s next move.