Overview
- White, speaking Saturday after UFC Seattle, said Islam Makhachev is targeted for August and a July return for Conor McGregor is only possible with no deal in place.
- White cited a hand injury in camp that kept Makhachev off the June 14 card, delaying his first welterweight title defense to late summer.
- McGregor’s 18-month retroactive suspension has ended, he is back in the UFC testing pool and training again, but no bout, opponent, or date is finalized with July 11 International Fight Week discussed but unconfirmed.
- Ian Machado Garry publicly questioned Makhachev’s delay, and UFC commentator Jon Anik responded by asking fans to give the champion the benefit of the doubt.
- Contract talks for a McGregor comeback are expected to be tougher under the UFC’s Paramount+ deal, which replaces traditional pay-per-view payouts and changes how his payday is structured.