Get ready, fight fans—this Saturday night could be the moment we've all been waiting for. Dana White is reportedly set to steal the spotlight from Ronda Rousey's highly anticipated return against Gina Carano by dropping a bombshell announcement: Conor McGregor's UFC comeback.
Rousey has spent the last three months taking shots at the UFC, the very organization that built her "Rowdy" brand and catapulted her to global stardom. It seems the former women's bantamweight champion isn't used to hearing "no," and she didn't take it well when UFC CBO Hunter Campbell passed on her comeback tour. While the UFC certainly deserves its share of criticism, let's be honest—it's still a better gig than driving a 2005 Honda Accord.
Outside of that snub, the UFC has largely stayed out of Rousey's way as she prepares for her May 16 headliner against former Strikeforce star Gina Carano on Netflix. That card is stacked, too, featuring UFC veterans like Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, and Junior dos Santos. But don't think for a second that the UFC is just sitting back and watching.
White is a master of counter-programming, and while this Saturday's UFC Vegas 117 card in Las Vegas might not have the star power to compete directly with Rousey vs. Carano, he has another trick up his sleeve. Expect White to announce one—or even multiple—blockbuster fights for later this year.
At the top of that list? A potential Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway showdown at UFC 329 during International Fight Week. Despite a five-year absence and very public personal struggles, "Notorious" remains the biggest star and the top draw in all of cage fighting. If McGregor is truly making his return, as reports suggest, we'll likely find out Saturday night.
With UFC 329 less than two months away, there's no reason for the promotion to keep its main event under wraps. And let's not forget UFC 330, recently announced for August 15 in Philadelphia, which still lacks a main event or any marquee names. The pieces are falling into place, and all eyes will be on Vegas this weekend.