Dana White Admits UFC Will Never Produce Another ‘Unicorn’ Like Conor McGregor

Dana White has been the UFC’s top executive since 2001, watching many superstars rise and leave the promotion. However, few fighters have matched Conor McGregor’s impact. The Irishman’s performances and personality made him one of combat sports’ biggest stars. Despite his recent UFC 329 setback against Max Holloway, White believes McGregor remains unmatched.

McGregor became a global superstar through his unique fighting style, knockout power, and ability to create memorable moments inside the Octagon. His victories over Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez helped him become the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion. Outside competition, his confidence, personality, and promotional skills expanded his popularity.

White was the UFC President when McGregor debuted in 2013, and has supported the superstar throughout his career. McGregor has also shown major respect for White and credited him for his rise. Recently, the UFC CEO stated that many stars have come and gone, but none have matched McGregor’s impact.

I look at a guy like him like a unicorn. People are always asking me, ‘Who’s the next Conor McGregor?’ There’s never gonna be another Conor McGregor. In the time, in the place, in the way that he came into the sport. There will be a different superstar, but there will never be another Conor.

Dana White via The Pivot

Dana White says the sport will produce new superstars, but never another Conor McGregor.💯

"I look at a guy like Conor as a unicorn. People always ask me who's the next Conor McGregor. There's never gonna be another Conor McGregor. The time, the place, and the way that he came… pic.twitter.com/vdMXqqxbS8

— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) July 21, 2026

McGregor recently returned to the Octagon after a five-year layoff at UFC 329, marking his first fight since his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021. However, his highly anticipated comeback against Max Holloway ended in disappointment after the former two-division champion suffered a knee injury and could not continue the contest.

McGregor’s star power was clear at UFC 329 as his return helped the event set a new UFC live gate record. The card generated around $25 million in ticket sales at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite his early injury loss to Holloway, the event showed McGregor’s unmatched ability to attract major attention.

Before UFC 329, White reflected on his first meeting with McGregor and the early stages of their relationship. The UFC head honcho recalled their first dinner together and how the Irishman’s confidence stood out before he became one of the promotion’s biggest stars. Their connection became an important part of McGregor’s rise.

White was confident in McGregor’s return and had several plans in mind if the Irish superstar defeated Holloway at UFC 329. However, those plans changed after McGregor suffered a serious knee injury. Despite the disappointing end, White remained fully supportive and said McGregor’s next move would be entirely his own decision.

Nevertheless, White has ruled out plans for Conor McGregor to complete a trilogy with Max Holloway despite ‘The Notorious One’ expressing interest. Instead, the UFC CEO wants McGregor to focus on recovering before deciding his future. Dana White’s stance reflected his continued support for the former two-division champion.

Dana White reveals if his stance on Freedom of speech has deviated

Dana White has consistently been vocal about his views on free speech throughout his time leading the UFC. The UFC CEO has long supported the principle and defended the right to express differing opinions. That approach has become a major reason UFC fighters are allowed to publicly share their personal views.

However, White has also faced criticism over situations where some believed his actions did not fully reflect his stance on free speech. Those discussions have centered on media access and how certain journalists were handled, prompting debate over whether the UFC always applies those principles consistently.

A major controversy followed the UFC White House event when heavyweight Josh Hokit made demeaning comments about former First Lady Michelle Obama after his victory. The remarks drew White’s fury and reignited debate over free speech. White later explained his current stance on the issue.

Unfortunately when you talk about freedom of speech, it’s usually the grossest stuff that has to be protected. You can’t talk about freedom of speech and then pick and choose. I don’t love it all the time but it is what it is. You see, in this country, we do have it and we start to see what happened in the rest of the world in these place where people are being arrested for what they are posting on social media and stuff like that. It is a slippery slope. I don’t love my stance on freedom of speech all the time but it has to be protected.

Dana White via The Pivot

Dana White is asked if his outlook on Freedom of Speech started to evolve.pic.twitter.com/WQcOZB7TXB

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 21, 2026

The UFC has become more careful about fighter speech following its $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount+. That was evident when Sean Strickland’s microphone was cut off during the UFC Houston press conference in February 2026. Despite that, Dana White continues to support free speech while leading the promotion.

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