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Conor McGregor claims his UFC contract is 'void' as he prepares for a potential return to the octagon this year.

The 37 year old hasn't stepped into the cage since his loss to long-standing rival Dustin Poirier in 2021. McGregor was set to make a spectacular comeback in June 2024 against Michael Chandler, but was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury during training.

Last July, US President Donald Trump announced plans to stage a historic UFC event at the White House in 2026. Since then, McGregor has put himself forward as a potential participant in what would be a landmark occasion this June.

During McGregor's time away, the UFC has pressed ahead. In August, the promotion secured a lucrative seven-year agreement with Paramount valued at $7.7billion - covering all non-pay-per-view broadcasts. Their first show under the new deal is scheduled for this Saturday with UFC 324 - featuring an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, reports All Out Fighting.

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In light of the new partnership, the Irishman has now stated that the deal 'essentially voided' his UFC contract. "I'm warming up now for the White House fight," McGregor said on a stream. "I'm gonna be at it, for sure. It's gonna be insane, the White House card is gonna be.

"I'm going into negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in February. I'm very interested to go. They've actually got a new deal with Paramount, it's worth $7.7 billion. So the company has 4xed its profit, and my contract, essentially, is void right now because there's no more PPV, whereas my contract was based on PPV sales. I'm the highest-generating PPV fighter of all time. The PPV system is done, I'm due a new contract. So, we're going into negotiations in February, and I'm very interested to see how it goes."

The Irishman is now preparing for a potential comeback and is keen to compete on the White House card this June. "And what am I doing for it?" McGregor later added. "I'm focusing on what I can control. I'm in the gym. I'm living in the gym, focusing on my health, focusing on my rest, listening to my coaches, following the game plan.

"External noise is non-existent for me. I don't absorb it. You're aware of it, but you don't let it seep in. Keep the internal dialogue strong. I'm here, showing the kids, showing my team what it takes. You've got to live it. You've got to live and breathe it."

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McGregor's last triumph in the cage was back in 2020, when he took less than a minute to knock out Donald Cerrone. The 37 year old is now back in training and scouting potential opponents for his comeback bout. He was set to face off against Chandler, with both having served as rival coaches on 'The Ultimate Fighter' reality series two years prior.

However, UFC boss Dana White has quashed any hopes of that fight happening. In an interview with Complex, when asked about the proposed match-up, he simply said: "No," He added: "I mean, that was a couple of years ago. No [that's nothing I would entertain]."

He later stated: "We'll see if Conor's going to come back or not. We've been talking about it for a while - we'll see how it plays out. I don't know, though." Despite this setback, McGregor doesn't seem too bothered. He still appears keen to make history on June 14. "Pick who ya want!" McGregor posted on X - previously known as Twitter. "The Mac sweats nothing and nobody. I'm TASTY SHOTS."

Since then, the names of Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal have been circulating, but the card in Washington is expected to start taking shape from next month. There was a chance that McGregor wouldn't be allowed to compete in June due to a two-year drug ban imposed in October after he missed three tests in 2024.

The Dublin fighter is currently serving an 18-month ban and will be eligible to compete again from 20 March. But UFC legend Chael Sonnen has cast doubt on whether the MMA star will make a comeback. Speaking to Mike Bohn, Sonnen said: "My larger interpretation was just that Conor (McGregor) was off the card, I know that's not what was said, but why would it not be (Michael) Chandler? "I mean, Chandler does make a lot of sense. If you are going to do the fans a favour by putting Conor on the card, you are going to do Conor a favour, you got to write him this great big check. It's not going to be about fun."

Sonnen added: "It's going to be about somebody that is going to come in, grab that, and can come back, and do two or three more fights for the company. And that would disqualify Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal in my opinion. But, my guess is, first and foremost that Conor is not going to be a part of this, that Conor is fully retired. Secondly, if he comes back and they write that check, they are going to give him a real guy."