Dana White on Conor McGregor's co-promotion demand: 'Easy to deal with,' deal will get done

NEW YORK – UFC President Dana White has no concerns about a power struggle with Conor McGregor as he works on getting the UFC lightweight champion back in the octagon for his next fight.

McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) raised eyebrows Wednesday when he declared he woouldn’t return to the UFC unless he’s a co-promoter for the event, stating, “I ain’t stepping in that octagon again unless I’m part owner of the whole setup – I’m a promoter.”

When “The Notorious” wants something, he typically gets his wish. He hasn’t fought under the UFC banner in nearly a year because he was pursuing and ultimately competed in a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, and before that was granted the opportunity to become the first simultaneous two-division titleholder in the UFC, which he accomplished.

McGregor is a master at using the media to twist a narrative in his favor and put pressure on the UFC to make a move. White is fully understanding of the process and said he has complete confidence a deal will come together.

“As we go into negotiations with Conor there’s always all kinds of crazy stuff out there,” White said at today’s UFC 217 news conference. “We always get deals done with Conor. Conor has been easy to deal with, and we’ll get it done.”

McGregor, who hasn’t fought in MMA since winning the 155-pound title with a second-round knockout of Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November 2016, is expected to face interim UFC lightweight champ Tony Ferguson (23-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) in his next bout.

At this point it just seems like a matter of when it will happen.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.