UFC fans, the wait for Conor McGregor's return might finally be nearing its end. UFC CEO Dana White has expressed strong confidence that "The Notorious" will step back into the Octagon this year, though he's quick to clarify that "there's no deal done" just yet.

It's been nearly five years since McGregor last fought—a heartbreaking trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a gruesome leg break. Since then, the 37-year-old Irish superstar has only had one fight booked, a proposed 2024 clash with Michael Chandler that fell through due to a broken toe.

But the landscape of the UFC has shifted dramatically during McGregor's absence. The promotion kicked off 2026 with a massive $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount, effectively eliminating the traditional pay-per-view model for numbered events. Now, those fights come free with a Paramount+ subscription—a change that directly impacts fighters like McGregor, who once earned a percentage of PPV points.

White addressed these concerns at UFC 328's post-fight press conference, revealing a new compensation system has been implemented for the sport's biggest stars. "There's a formula to it. McGregor's going to do just fine," White assured. "It's based on the average of his pay-per-view buys, and what they do. There's an equation for that—we've done it with a lot more guys than just McGregor."

While McGregor has been busy with other ventures during his recovery, the fighting world continues to buzz with anticipation. All signs point to 2026 being the year we finally see the former two-division champion back in action—even if the official paperwork hasn't been signed yet.