UFC 207: Will Conor McGregor Fight? UFC President, Lightweight Champion Differ On Fighter’s Return To The Octagon

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Conor McGregor will be out from the octagon for 10 months, according to UFC President Dana White. McGregor, however, has hinted at an earlier return.

“The last conversation that Conor and I had, he said was taking ten months off. Everybody keeps talking about, but I’m not even thinking about Conor,” White reportedly said Wednesday. “Conor is not in my plans for the next ten months at all. Listen, we have run a business where we make fights. I know who's available and I know who's not available.”

McGregor is awaiting the birth of his first child with girlfriend Dee Devlin. The initial due date was March, which has since been changed to May, according to the UFC fighter. McGregor is the first UFC fighter in history to simultaneously wear two belts, after he added the lightweight belt to his featherweight win last month.

“Conor told me, ‘I’m not available for ten months. We're having a baby, my girl stresses out whenever I fight and I don’t want to put that on her when she’s pregnant,” White reportedly said. “I love it, I respect it and I get it.”

However, in an interview with Irish public broadcaster RTE Sport, McGregor suggested his break may be shorter.

“I’m very excited about fatherhood. I can not wait,” McGregor reportedly said. “I know Dana is saying 10 months. Why? The baby’s born in May. I’m weighing my options. I’m ready for anything. We’ll see what happens.”

McGregor will be absent from UFC 207, which marks Ronda Rousey’s return to the octagon as she faces current champion Amanda Nunes of Brazil.

Dominick Cruz will defend his bantamweight belt against Cody Garbrandt. The action will begin at 8 p.m. EST with a four-fight prelim card on FS1 followed by the full five-fight main card on PPV — beginning at 10 p.m. EST.