Conor McGregor has taken a dramatic step that signals his intent to make a serious return to the UFC octagon, wiping his Instagram account clean as preparations intensify.
The Path to a Historic Comeback
The former two-weight UFC champion, now 37, has been absent from competition since his July 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier. A planned spectacular return at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler was derailed last year due to a training injury, further delaying his comeback.
However, the landscape shifted significantly last July when US President Donald Trump announced plans to host a UFC event at the White House in June 2026. UFC CEO Dana White has since received approval to stage the spectacle on the South Lawn.
McGregor was quick to volunteer for this historic card, which is expected to take final shape in February. His decision to shut down his official Instagram profile appears to be a strategic move to eliminate distractions and focus entirely on his cage preparation.
Training Intensifies for White House Card
Last month, the Dublin fighter posted a message to his millions of social media followers, indicating he would be taking a break from online platforms. He wrote: "Hey folks online, I'm out of here for a bit, see you again soon! My love, unwavering! Thank you all."
His longtime coach, John Kavanagh, has provided crucial insight into McGregor's current mindset. On The Ariel Helwani Show, Kavanagh revealed that McGregor is "100 per cent in" and has tasked him with laying out a detailed training programme leading up to June.
"He's asked me to basically lay out a programme between now and June of how we'll ramp up our training," Kavanagh stated. "He's showing up again, he's back in the gym most mornings, early, and yeah, he's having fun with it... he wants to fight everybody."
Overcoming Obstacles for the Return
The road to the White House card hasn't been without potential hurdles. McGregor faced a significant setback when he was handed an 18-month ban for missing three drug tests last year.
This suspension could have prevented his participation in the June event, but the ban is now set to conclude in March 2026, clearing the path for his potential return. McGregor had previously claimed his UFC return was confirmed, though UFC leadership was quick to refute those assertions at the time.
Kavanagh emphasised the comprehensive approach to preparation, noting: "He's already tasked me with putting together a team of suitable training partners. We'll do some of it in the gym, some of it in his house. So he's fully locked in that we're going to be making the walk in - what is it, six, seven months?"
With his social media presence eliminated and training programmes being established, all signs indicate that Conor McGregor is treating his comeback with the utmost seriousness, potentially culminating in a historic appearance at the first-ever UFC event at the White House.
