MMA Daily Roundup: McGregor Eyes White House Return, Jones Hints at Retirement & More — March 4, 2026
- Dana Black
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Overview
March 4, 2026 is another massive day in MMA. Conor McGregor has confirmed he is in UFC return negotiations targeting summer 2026, potentially for the White House card. Jon Jones has dropped a stunning hint that he may be done with fighting entirely. The Tsarukyan vs. Poullas grappling rematch has been cancelled following the RAF 06 brawl. Islam Makhachev is set to bypass Ian Machado Garry for a much bigger welterweight title defence. Lone'er Kavanagh rockets into the flyweight top 10 after his UFC Mexico win. And UFC 326 final fight week build-up is in full gear with Saturday night fast approaching.
Contents
Fight week for UFC 326 is entering its final stretch, but the biggest stories today are happening away from the Octagon. Conor McGregor has broken his silence on a UFC comeback, Jon Jones has left the MMA world stunned with retirement talk, and the volatile fallout from RAF 06 continues. Add to that a major welterweight title picture shake-up and a new name bursting into the flyweight rankings — it has been a breathless 24 hours in combat sports.
Conor McGregor Eyes UFC Return
Conor McGregor, the former two-weight UFC champion and undisputed biggest star in the sport's history, has confirmed he is in active negotiations with the UFC about a comeback fight. McGregor has not competed in nearly five years and has been serving an 18-month period of ineligibility for violating the UFC Anti-Doping Policy — a ban set to expire on March 20, 2026. Speaking to Drink Litt, McGregor stated that summer 2026 is his target window and revealed he is specifically discussing a place on the June 14 White House card, or a fight around that period.
White House Card or Bust
The historic White House event on June 14 has rapidly become the most talked-about fight card in years, attracting high-profile names from across the sport. McGregor placing himself in the conversation adds another layer of intrigue to a card that already has Jon Jones lobbying for inclusion. Whether Dana White and the UFC are willing to trust McGregor at such a monumental occasion — given his lengthy absence and history of last-minute withdrawals — remains the central question. The UFC will want certainty above all else for a card of this magnitude.
Potential Opponents
MMA insider Ariel Helwani has floated a third McGregor vs. Nate Diaz fight as the most logical option at this stage. Meanwhile, Michael Chandler — long linked to a McGregor fight that has never materialised — reiterated his desire to share the cage with the Irishman, insisting the fight still makes sense for both men. Others have floated the winner of Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 as a potential opponent. McGregor himself did not name a specific target, fuelling further speculation heading into fight week.
Jon Jones Hints at Retirement
In a stunning development, Jon Jones has suggested publicly that he might be done with MMA competition. The man widely regarded as the greatest fighter of all time stated that the best version of himself may no longer involve competing. This comes just days after Jones confirmed he was in talks with the UFC about appearing on the White House card. The contradiction has left the MMA community divided — many are taking his retirement hints at face value, while others believe it is classic Jones mind games designed to increase his leverage in negotiations.
Tsarukyan vs. Poullas Rematch Cancelled
The scheduled March 11 grappling rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas in Brazil has been cancelled. The bout, which was due to take place at Hype Brazil's Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro as a submission-only contest, fell apart in the wake of the violent brawl Tsarukyan initiated at RAF 06. The fallout from that incident continues to have real consequences for Tsarukyan, with Matt Brown among those arguing the UFC has yet another reason to bypass him for a lightweight title shot. Whether Tsarukyan's wild behaviour in the grappling arena helps or hurts his UFC standing remains a burning question in the division.
Islam Makhachev Skips Garry for Bigger Fight
Islam Makhachev's management team has publicly confirmed the UFC welterweight champion will not be fighting Ian Machado Garry next, instead targeting a significantly bigger name for his first title defence at 170 pounds. Garry had been vocal in calling for his shot, claiming he was simply waiting on Makhachev. However, Makhachev's team dismissed Garry's challenge, indicating the UFC has different plans that match the enormity of the two-weight champion's status. A title defence against a higher-profile contender — potentially later in 2026 — appears to be the direction.
Kavanagh Rockets Into Flyweight Top 10
Following his dominant short-notice main event victory over former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico on February 28, Lone'er Kavanagh has been rewarded with a top-10 ranking in the flyweight division by USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie. Kavanagh, who entered the fight completely unranked, put on the performance of his career from start to finish against the hometown favourite in front of a hostile Mexico City crowd. It is a meteoric rise for the flyweight prospect and signals a serious new contender has arrived in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions.
UFC 326 Final Fight Week Build-Up
UFC 326 is now just three days away and the fight week machine is fully rolling. Max Holloway has publicly revealed that while the BMF title is on the line Saturday night, he has the undisputed lightweight championship firmly in his sights beyond this fight. Three former UFC champions will serve on the broadcast team for the event. Khamzat Chimaev has confirmed he is healthy and will wait patiently for his middleweight title shot against Sean Strickland, ruling out an interim bout against Nassourdine Imavov. The full T-Mobile Arena card is stacked with action and fight fans worldwide are counting down the hours.
FAQs
When is Conor McGregor's UFC anti-doping ban lifted?
McGregor's 18-month period of ineligibility for violating the UFC Anti-Doping Policy is set to expire on March 20, 2026. Once the ban is lifted, he will be free to compete again, making a summer 2026 return date entirely feasible if negotiations with the UFC conclude successfully.
Is Jon Jones actually retiring from MMA?
Nothing is official. Jones has hinted that the best version of himself may not involve competing in MMA, but he simultaneously stated he was in White House card talks just days ago. Until an official retirement announcement is made, the situation remains fluid. Jones has a long history of teasing retirements that never materialise.
Why was the Tsarukyan vs. Poullas rematch cancelled?
The March 11 submission-only grappling rematch in Brazil collapsed in the fallout of the violent brawl Tsarukyan instigated against Poullas at RAF 06. The exact contractual or logistical reasons have not been fully disclosed, but the chaos from that incident directly caused the cancellation.
Who is Islam Makhachev likely to fight next?
Makhachev's team has confirmed Ian Machado Garry will be bypassed for a bigger name. While no official opponent has been confirmed, the UFC is believed to be targeting a marquee first welterweight title defence for the two-division champion later in 2026. Several top contenders in the stacked 170-pound division remain in the frame.
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