February 2013: Dana White made an appearance on episode #327 of Joe Rogan‘s JRE podcast. They discussed boxing gyms and how a young White would participate in amateur fights. The duo spoke about Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Ronda Rousey—the UFC’s then-rising star. One would have assumed Rogan and White would have talked about Conor McGregor, too, but truth be told, he wasn’t even fighting for the promotion then. He was fighting for Cage Warriors, and it wasn’t until April 2013 that he first appeared in a UFC fight. From there on, it would take the Irishman just a couple of years to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Sure, post the Dustin Poirier fight (UFC 264), ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t made his way back to the octagon, and any announcements of the same have only resulted in his attempts to perhaps stay relevant in the combat world. But he took some important steps too. For instance, last year, he acquired a stake in BKFC and became part-owner of it. With that, his UFC return seemed like an afterthought.

But none of that means he doesn’t want to maintain a positive relationship with the UFC or any of its faces. In fact, in March, Conor McGregor tweeted, “What’s up @joerogan my man I messaged you! Are you looking for a guest on the podcast, I have a great one for you!” But his offer never received a response. But fret not, McGregor! White has a response, only, not the one ‘Mystic Mac’ would want to hear!

During the UFC 318 post-fight press conference, one reporter asked White: “How big is the possibility that we see a podcast on Joe Rogan? You, Joe Rogan, and Conor McGregor?” Dana White paused, locked eyes with the room, and simply said:

“Probably never.”

His answer earned a couple of laughs from those present in the room. White chuckled as he reiterated that such an episode would never happen, but didn’t give a reason.

While the UFC CEO didn’t comment on why, there could have been a couple of possible reasons:

1. He isn’t actively fighting for the UFC post his last injury.
2. McGregor has been showing interest in joining Irish politics.
3. His public image has taken a hit with recent NSFW allegations from rapper Azealia Banks.

Or, Dana White’s refusal could stem from other reasons that aren’t known. Yet, if he could get McGregor to fight once again, he wouldn’t back down.

Dana White breaks silence on potential McGregor vs. Diaz trilogy fight.

Back in 2016, Dana White was firmly against booking a trilogy fight between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. He pointed to the emotional strain the rivalry had placed on both men, particularly ‘The Notorious’. At the time, White made it clear he had no interest in reigniting a feud reminiscent of the brutal Meldrick Taylor vs. Julio César Chávez saga, which he believed had lasting consequences for both fighters involved. But the landscape has shifted dramatically since then. Nate Diaz is no longer under a UFC contract and hasn’t fought since 2022, now actively exploring a career in boxing. On the other hand, Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021 but still has two bouts left on his UFC deal.

Last year, Diaz tagged Dana White in a public post urging him to release McGregor so they could settle the score in a boxing ring — a request Conor McGregor himself openly supported. Dana White, however, stayed silent on the matter until now. At UFC 318, after the epic conclusion to the Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway trilogy, media members asked the CEO about the long-discussed McGregor-Diaz trilogy. He responded in a measured but telling way.

“I love Nate,” he said, offering little else. “That fight’s a year away, so I’m not even thinking about anything right now. The landscape will change so much by next Fourth of July — you know, who knows what’s going to happen? Who knows who’s going to be on the card, or what the main event will be, or who will hold all the titles? Everything could be completely different. So it’s not even worth thinking about right now.”

So what’s your take on the trilogy? Will Dana White eventually get both fighters back on board, or let the rivalry fade into history? Drop your prediction below.