UFC CEO Dana White broke his silence on former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor‘s recent civil court verdict finding him liable of sexual assault.
An Irish court jury found McGregor liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in December 2018. Hand was awarded approximately $250,000 in damages and McGregor was ordered to pay her legal fees as well.
Following the verdict, McGregor saw multiple sponsors and brands cut ties with him, including the Irish Whiskey company he founded, Proper 12. The court ruling has been disastrous for McGregor and his marketability. Still arguably the biggest draw on the UFC roster, the fight promotion has remained silent about the McGregor verdict.
White was asked about McGregor’s fighting future and the sexual assault verdict during the UFC 310 Post-Fight Press Conference at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. White responded with essentially no comment.
“What do you mean, what’s my reaction,” White responded when asked about McGregor’s court ruling. “If I had a comment, I would have put it out already.”
McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since UFC 264 in July 2021 where he lost to Dustin Poirier in a trilogy match after suffering a broken leg. His rumored return to the octagon has faced setbacks and has left many wondering if the Irishman will ever return to the UFC cage. He was scheduled to face Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 main event but pulled out of the fight after suffering a broken toe.
“He hasn’t been fighting here in I don’t know how long,” White said. “If he does fight, it will be sometime next year.”