UFC president Dana White is expecting an appearance from Conor McGregor at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.
The last time Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor were in the same building together, mayhem ensued. Nonetheless, he could show up at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, a card headlined by the UFC lightweight title fight between Khabib and interim champion Dustin Poirier.
At least, according to UFC president Dana White.
“Yeah,” White responded when asked by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto if he expects a McGregor appearance on September 7th. “He could, possibly. He hasn’t said (anything), I’m not (breaking any news here).
“He could probably show up to that fight, but I don’t know if he will. He hasn’t said anything to me.”
McGregor indirectly hit at Khabib’s religion during the build-up of UFC 229 in October through deleted tweets bearing images of more personal insults. When asked if this would be a concern, considering Abu Dhabi is predominantly an Islam country, White had this to say.
“I don’t think that’s gonna be a problem. I honestly believe that in that region, they like Conor McGregor, too. I know that they take things a little serious when stuff is said, but Khabib won the fight. And I think it’s all just trash talk.
“Obviously, Khabib and Conor, there’s no love lost (between) those guys. They do not like each other. But, it’s part of the business.
“I would have no problem with Conor showing up there.”
Also part of the card is Khabib’s teammate Islam Makhachev, who fights ADCC champion Davi Ramos.