**Dana White Recalls First Encounter with Conor McGregor: “I Knew Instantly He Was Destined for Greatness”**
Conor McGregor, the charismatic Irish mixed martial artist, remains one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) most recognisable faces despite a near three-year absence from the octagon. The 36-year-old’s name returns to headlines as UFC President Dana White reflects on the very first meeting that led him to believe McGregor would become a global combat sports phenomenon.
McGregor, renowned for his sharp tongue and audacious confidence, rewrote the history books by becoming the first UFC athlete to hold titles in two different weight categories at once. His blistering 13-second knockout of esteemed featherweight champion José Aldo in 2015 was a pivotal moment, launching him firmly into international stardom. The Irishman doubled down on that success a year later when he dispatched Eddie Alvarez to seize the lightweight belt, mirroring his previous achievements as a simultaneous double champion in Cage Warriors.
Dana White recently recounted his initial impression of McGregor, tracing it back to their long-awaited dinner meeting in Las Vegas. The excitement, he said, was palpable from the outset. “When we first signed him, he flew out to Vegas and we went out to dinner,” White remembered. “I called my partner after and told him, ‘I don’t know if he can actually fight yet, but if this kid can throw a punch, he’ll be a massive superstar.’”
It wasn’t just McGregor’s in-ring abilities that set him apart, revealed White. “His energy, confidence, and personality were unlike anything I’d seen—at the time, Ronda Rousey was the closest comparison in terms of presence.” That encounter, it seems, was all White needed to forecast the remarkable trajectory McGregor’s career would follow.
Upon making his UFC debut in April 2013, McGregor embarked on a sensational run through the featherweight ranks. His meteoric rise was underpinned by six knockouts or technical knockouts in his first seven bouts—a feat that fuelled his rivalry with Nate Diaz, saw him compete at multiple weight divisions, and set the tone for memorable clashes with some of the sport’s biggest names.
A crossover into boxing against Floyd Mayweather in 2017 brought even more global attention, although it also initiated a lengthy hiatus from mixed martial arts. His return was marred by a defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, a contest marked by a series of controversies both before and after the fight.
Injuries would soon halt any plans for a resurgence. McGregor’s last appearance in the octagon was in July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in his rematch against Dustin Poirier—a second consecutive loss to the American. A highly anticipated showdown with Michael Chandler, scheduled for last summer, collapsed as McGregor was again sidelined by injury. When asked earlier this year about the Dubliner’s comeback, Dana White admitted that McGregor’s return to competition remains uncertain.
Although time away from the cage has seen the Irishman hint at retirement and even muse about a foray into Irish politics, McGregor has continued to fuel speculation about his fighting future, expressing a desire for a stadium bout and reigniting interest in a potential fight with Chandler—particularly after Chandler’s defeat at UFC 314 to British contender Paddy Pimblett. Despite outward reflections suggesting contentment with his legacy, McGregor also confirmed ongoing contract negotiations, noting unfinished business with two remaining fights on his UFC deal.
Life outside the octagon has not been without its challenges. Last November, McGregor was ordered to pay more than €248,000 (£206,000) after a Dublin civil court found he had committed assault against Nikita Hand. The legal entanglement added another twist to the complex narrative of one of the sporting world’s most polarising yet influential figures.
Though the timeline for McGregor’s return remains unclear, his impact on MMA and the broader sporting landscape endures. From his first meeting with Dana White to his unprecedented dual-title triumphs and colourful life beyond the cage, McGregor’s legend continues to provoke both debate and admiration wherever his name is mentioned. Whether or not he competes again, his legacy as a transformative figure in the UFC appears secure.