Dana White Discusses Conor McGregor's Possible Return

UFC 310 saw Kai Asakura face Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title, resulting in a second-round submission loss for Asakura, yet it rekindled a friendly relationship between UFC CEO Dana White and RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara, hinting at potential future collaborations. White expressed interest in bringing more Japanese champions to the UFC, highlighting the resurgence of MMA in Japan. Meanwhile, Ren Hiramoto, a rising star from Japan, has expressed his ambition to follow in Conor McGregor's footsteps and become a UFC champion. In related news, Dana White confirmed that McGregor's return to the UFC could happen sometime in 2025, despite a recent civil court ruling that found McGregor liable for assault, requiring him to pay €250,000 in damages. McGregor has denied the allegations and plans to appeal the verdict, while White noted that McGregor's inactivity since 2021 may affect his UFC future. The landscape of MMA remains dynamic as both established and emerging fighters seek their places in the organization.