STWF Sports|Nov. 17, 2025 – Conor McGregor is once again preparing to shake up the MMA world. After years of uncertainty, injuries, and business ventures outside the cage, “The Notorious” appears fully committed to a blockbuster return—targeting the UFC’s historic White House card set for June. And this time, his longtime coach John Kavanagh says the Irish superstar is not just interested—he’s “100 percent in.”

McGregor, 37, hasn’t competed since suffering a devastating leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His recovery has been lengthy and complicated, and his attention has often been divided, especially since becoming a co-owner of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). But after nearly four years away from the Octagon, McGregor seems to have rediscovered the fire that made him a global phenomenon.

A “Done Deal” — And a Renewed Mindset

Rumors of McGregor’s return exploded back in October when he declared that his comeback fight for the White House card was a “done deal.” While the UFC has yet to officially confirm the bout, Kavanagh provided the clearest update yet during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“We’re 100 percent in,” Kavanagh said. “He’s asked me to basically lay out a programme between now and June of how we’ll ramp up our training. He’s showing up again, he’s back in the gym most mornings, early, and yeah, he’s having fun with it… he wants to fight everybody.”

That renewed consistency, according to Kavanagh, is the strongest sign that McGregor is genuinely preparing to compete again after multiple false starts.

A Full Training Plan Already in Motion

Kavanagh revealed that McGregor has already tasked him with assembling a roster of training partners and building a full camp structure built around a six- to seven-month timeline.

“From a training point of view, he’s already tasked me with putting together a team of suitable training partners,” Kavanagh explained. “We’ll do some of it in the gym, some of it in his house. So he’s fully locked in that we’re going to be making the walk.”

McGregor has reportedly been training “most mornings,” with early sessions becoming part of his regular routine again. For a fighter once defined by discipline before his championship runs, this consistency is notable—and encouraging to those skeptical of a true return.

When asked whether McGregor still has the motivation, the coach didn’t hesitate.

“If it’s Conor’s choice, he’s in,” Kavanagh said. “I don’t know how it will work with UFC… the last one we were so freaking close until he clipped [his sparring partner] on the elbow.”

The Chandler Fight: Still the Front-Runner

McGregor was originally slated to face Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 in June of last year, but a foot injury suffered during training forced him to withdraw. The highly anticipated matchup seemed destined to close out The Ultimate Fighter 31, which both men coached, but has remained stuck in limbo ever since.

Chandler has routinely expressed his eagerness to fight McGregor, and Kavanagh believes the matchup still makes perfect sense.

“I think Chandler’s not being quiet about wanting to be that guy—the match-up makes sense,” Kavanagh said. “I think it’ll be a fun one… I’d love it. They kind of have a spark between them. I think it’ll be a fun fight week, press conference, all of that.”

Style-wise, Kavanagh believes McGregor matches up well with Chandler’s explosive, compact wrestling-heavy approach—a style the Irishman has seen multiple times throughout his career.

“We’re already beginning our training for that kind of opponent,” he added.

A Comeback Years in the Making

With McGregor training regularly, motivated, and building a camp around the June UFC White House card, all signs point to the biggest comeback story in combat sports finally taking shape. The UFC still needs to finalize the matchup, but momentum is building.

After years of questions, setbacks, and speculation, Conor McGregor appears ready to return to the Octagon—and this time, he’s all in.