Conor McGregor has never been subtle about how he wants to return to the spotlight and for 2026, he’s aiming as big as it gets. Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White announced plans for a historic UFC event on the White House lawn as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary. The concept immediately captured the imagination of the MMA world, with top fighters openly campaigning for a spot on what could become the most symbolic card in UFC history.
McGregor was among the first to express interest, initially calling for a long-delayed showdown with Michael Chandler. Now, however, “The Notorious” appears to have his sights set on an even more audacious opponent.
“The Money Fight” Revisited, This Time in MMA?
On Tuesday, McGregor floated the idea of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather not in the boxing ring, but inside an MMA cage, staged on the White House lawn.
McGregor and Mayweather previously collided in 2017 in one of the most lucrative boxing events ever, dubbed The Money Fight. Mayweather stopped McGregor in the 10th round, closing the book on a spectacle that blurred the lines between combat sports and pop culture. In the aftermath, there was brief talk of a potential rematch under UFC rules, but the idea never progressed beyond speculation.
Nearly a decade later, McGregor appears ready to reopen that door and on the grandest stage imaginable.
McGregor’s Long Road Back
McGregor hasn’t competed since July 2021, when he suffered a gruesome leg break against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout at UFC 264. A return was scheduled for last summer against Chandler, but McGregor withdrew due to injury, extending his absence from competition.
Despite the layoff, McGregor remains one of the UFC’s most bankable stars and one of the few fighters capable of elevating any event into a global phenomenon. A White House appearance, especially against a crossover opponent like Mayweather, would instantly dominate headlines far beyond the MMA bubble.
Mayweather’s Side of the Equation
Mayweather officially retired from professional boxing after defeating McGregor but has remained active through high-profile exhibitions. He is currently planning another exhibition bout, this time against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, expected to take place sometime this spring.
Whether Mayweather would seriously entertain an MMA rematch especially at this stage of his career remains an open question. But history suggests that if the money and spectacle align, nothing is truly off the table.
A Made-for-2026 Moment
A McGregor–Mayweather MMA rematch on the White House lawn would represent the ultimate convergence of sport, spectacle, and symbolism exactly the kind of event McGregor has always gravitated toward.
It may be wildly improbable. It may never happen.
But if Conor McGregor has his way, 2026 won’t just mark America’s 250th birthday it’ll be remembered as the year “The Notorious” made the biggest splash of his career.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
