‘Really meticulous’ – Conor McGregor drops sparring partner in new training footage as UFC White House looms

Conor McGregor’s preparations are well underway for a UFC return.

McGregor expects to make his fighting comeback at the UFC’s White House show in the summer.

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In November, McGregor’s head coach, John Kavanagh, revealed the Irishman was ‘all in’ on making a return, adding that he’d already been tasked with putting together a training plan for him.

And sparring footage uploaded this week suggests the former two-division UFC champion is indeed set on a comeback.

Conor McGregor: I’m 100% in on White House return

“This is going to be one hell of a camp for us,” McGregor said via TheMacLife.

“I’m going to get seriously f***ing way better in this camp.

“We’re going in here 100 per cent — I’m going into this fight 100 per cent Conor McGregor.

“Not 92 — 100 per cent Conor McGregor — so it has to be really meticulous.

“We were right there with the last one, as a unit, we do it.”

In the video, McGregor is put through his paces at Straight Blast Gym (SBG) Ireland.

He shows signs of his trademark left hand that famously knocked out Jose Aldo in 2015.

At one point, McGregor attempts a wild flying knee and huge head kick before dropping a different opponent with a body shot.

TheMacLife

Fans give mixed reaction to McGregor’s sparring footage

Some MMA fans were left very impressed by what they saw.

One responded to the footage on X, saying: “Bro is throwing missiles in sparring.”

Another added: “Conor is ready for this fight.”

However, others weren’t so complimentary.

A third responded: “He’s washed. Not a single guy on the roster he can beat.”

While a fourth said: “We’re bored of this man, whoever fights him, he isn’t going to last two rounds.”

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Another wrote: “Is he sparring the guys from the beginner classes?”

McGregor hasn’t fought since back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier in 2021, but has been very persistent on a grand return at the White House card.

The event is expected to take place in June to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America.

UFC CEO and president Dana White has already confirmed his promotion will cover the costs for the entire thing, with the Octagon set to be placed on the White House’s South Lawn.

Several UFC stars have already expressed or denied their interest in fighting on the card.

But McGregor has always remained confident that he will fight at UFC White House.

Michael Chandler was expected to be McGregor’s opponent for months due to the pair’s history as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.

They were also scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in June 2024, but McGregor pulled out at the last minute with an injury.

However, White shockingly dismissed the idea of making McGregor vs Chandler earlier this month, saying their history ‘was a couple of years ago,’ when playing down the fight.

Paddy Pimblett has been linked to welcoming McGregor back following his defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.