Dana White breaks silence on Conor McGregor’s fight announcement with ten-word statement

DANA WHITE has responded to Conor McGregor’s latest claim over his long-overdue UFC return.

The Notorious’ eagerly-anticipated cage comeback was due to take place in June against Michael Chandler before he suffered a broken left pinky toe.

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Conor McGregor recently claimed he’d be making his UFC return on February 1[/caption]

AP

The Irishman has claimed he’ll be welcomed back to the octagon by Dan Hooker[/caption]

UFC President and CEO Dana White is a big fan of the fightSPORTSFILE

McGregor, 36, revealed to SunSport in July his eagerness to return in December but the UFC brass has opted to have him make his comeback next year.

The Irishman recently claimed that he’d be fighting the resurgent Dan Hooker in a Saudi showdown on February 1.

Both men are keen on the bout, as is UFC President and CEO White.

The 55-year-old said of the potential lightweight showdown: “That would be a great fight. I like that fight.”

Hooker, however, has ruled out fighting the UFC’s poster boy in February as he and wife Helena are expecting their second daughter.

‘The Hangman’ told reporter Helen Yee: “I’m good to go in January or March.

“The missus is due [for a baby in] February, so no can go.

“I’ve got a little girl on the way.

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“You’d even turn down a big fight with McGregor for [the birth of your child].

“You’re not missing that. No panties are coming off in February.

“[McGregor’s] busy, he’s got money coming out of his ears.

“If I had that amount of money in the bank, you wouldn’t see me anywhere near a fistfight.”

Former two-division champion McGregor was on course to land a bumper new deal with MMA‘s top promotion before the cancellation of his summer showdown with Chandler.

But the Dubliner suggested talks have cooled off following the collapse of his eagerly-anticipated comeback.

He told SunSport: “You know, the fight never happened. So it’s just about getting the fight on.”

Former feather and lightweight champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier.