UFC superstar Conor McGregor has made a candid admission about the prospect of stepping into the ring with YouTube sensations Logan and Jake Paul, confirming such crossover bouts will happen in the future.
The Path Back to the Octagon
However, the Irish fighter's immediate focus is firmly on a spectacular return to mixed martial arts. McGregor, who last fought in a defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021, is targeting a high-stakes comeback in 2026. His planned 2024 bout with American star Michael Chandler was scuppered by injury, but the rivalry remains very much alive.
Speculation is now mounting that the two could finally settle their score at a unique event. McGregor is reportedly desperate to feature at a UFC event at the White House in June 2026. Chandler himself fuelled these rumours during a broadcast, stating, "it does sound like I might be handing Conor McGregor a good ol' passionate, 'red, white and blue' butt whooping in the South Lawn of the White House sometime this summer."
History with Influencer Boxing
McGregor's interest in the lucrative world of influencer boxing is not new. In a surprising twist in 2024, reports emerged that the former two-weight UFC champion had agreed to fight Logan Paul in an exhibition match in India. The deal was swiftly shut down by UFC president Dana White.
The verbal sparring between McGregor and the Paul brothers has continued for years, including a notable run-in at Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington. Furthermore, in 2025, McGregor was in advanced talks for a boxing match with KSI. Misfits chief Mams Taylor claimed an agreement was signed, but it was the 37-year-old McGregor who pulled out at the last minute.
McGregor does have prior boxing experience, having lost to the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in a mega-fight in 2017. Reflecting on the influencer boxing scene, McGregor told Bloody Elbow, "Look, them YouTuber fights will come. I'm coming back for glory, for the gold belt, for the triple crown. That's what I'm after."
Full Focus on a 2026 Return
Despite the future allure of crossover bouts, all systems are currently go for McGregor's UFC return. His veteran coach, John Kavanagh, revealed last November that they are "100 per cent in" for a 2026 comeback. Kavanagh disclosed that McGregor has asked for a detailed training programme leading up to June and is assembling a team of training partners.
McGregor has been sharing regular training videos in recent months, signalling his intent to get back to fighting shape. While the potential showdown with Chandler at the White House captures the imagination, the 'Notorious' one's primary goal is clear: reclaiming UFC glory before eventually cashing in on the influencer boxing phenomenon.
