Few fighters can truly command an audience when the lights dim, the crowd roars and the energy in the air gets thick enough to cut with a knife. For years, Conor McGregor owned it—his walkouts were legendary, the kind that made you feel like you were witnessing history. Remember his walk-out at UFC 189 to Sinead O’Connor’s live performance of ‘Foggy Dew’? But now, another figure has entered the conversation, President-elect Donald Trump!

At UFC 309, Trump is set to make an appearance at Madison Square Garden. During a recent interview, UFC CEO Dana White made a bold proclamation as he put Trump and McGregor on the same tier when it comes to ‘shaking the arena’ when they walk out. But with ‘The Notorious’ having been on the sidelines for a while, he’s come out with a surprising statement on the comparison!

Conor McGregor left ‘yearning’ on the sidelines as Donald Trump set for UFC 309 appearance  

Fighter walkouts aren’t just an entrance, they are truly a spectacle and lead to moments that send shivers down the spines of fans watching. During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, shared on X by Championship Rounds, UFC boss Dana White was asked to share his thoughts on what would happen if Donald Trump walked out with him at UFC 309.

The UFC boss responded, “Huge. But you know what’s crazy when you think about it, when you think about fighter walk outs, whenever a fighter walks out to the… I mean the two biggest that actually shake the arena are President Trump and Conor McGregor, two of the biggest fight walk outs ever. If he comes tomorrow night, it’ll definitely be fun.”

The President-elect has been a prominent figure whenever he graces a UFC event with his presence. In 2019, during his time in the Oval Office, he was there at Madison Square Garden to watch the inaugural BMF clash between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz.

Yet for, Conor McGregor, who has been on the sidelines since 2021, the UFC boss’s statement led to a different feeling. In a post on X, the Irishman simply stated, “I yearn”, as a response to White’s interview.

Once the undisputed king of UFC walkouts, the Irish superstar now finds himself sharing the spotlight with a former president. Could this be why McGregor seems more desperate than ever to reclaim his throne? Yet, the fans might have to wait even longer as the UFC boss recently dropped a massive bombshell about ‘The Notorious’s return timeline.

Dana White reveals “money messes everything up” for McGregor’s comeback  

Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon may take longer than the fans might have expected! While there was speculation about the possibility of ‘The Notorious’ facing off against Dan Hooker in early 2025, Dana White hinted that McGregor might not lace up his gloves until later in the year. But why the delay?

During a recent appearance on ‘The Jim Rome Show’, the UFC boss was asked about the promotion’s plans for another attempt at setting up the Irishman against Michael Chandler. White stated, “When Conor comes back, which I see being sometime the later part of next year, we’ll see where everybody’s at and what’s going on and we’ll figure out who faces Conor.”

McGregor’s comeback has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Earlier this year, a broken toe shattered plans for his clash with Chandler, leaving fans with nothing but speculation. Chandler, meanwhile, refused to sit idle. He’s now locked in a five-round war against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

But how long is too long to wait? The UFC boss further stated that there’s one particular reason behind the delays. White confessed, “He and I probably talk four or five times a month. He definitely wants to come back. We’ll just see. Every time I’m on here I tell you money — money messes everything up. So we’ll see.”

Do you think Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will finally face off in 2025? Or will there be another twist in this saga of the Irishman’s return to the Octagon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!