Dana White On UFC 329, Conor McGregor, Paddy Pimblett, Sophie Cunningham & More

Despite one of the most action-packed events in recent memory, the night ended in disappointment as Conor McGregor sustained an injury that brought his main event bout with Max Holloway to a close.

White was asked for his reaction, and the boss reflected on a disappointing return for McGregor after a five-year layoff.

“Listen, everybody who knows anything about the fight business – and it's been a big topic of discussion leading up to this fight – five years off, in this sport, is rough,” he said.

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“And like you said, great card, unbelievable. I mean, the Paddy Pimblett thing right before — you just feel it all in the air. Here we go! I mean, I was expecting at least a one-round war … Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio, or whatever else, after a five-year layoff. And, well, there you go.

“We’re assuming [he sustained a] blown ACL. I'm no doctor, but that's what I figured when I saw it, and the doctors think the same thing, too.”

What’s Next For ‘The Notorious’

After five years away from the sport and a long run-up to get ready for Saturday night’s fight, McGregor now faces more time on the sidelines to rest and rehab his injury before he can resume training again.

The big question hanging in the air — whether he’ll want to put himself through the grind again after another lengthy injury hiatus — is one only McGregor himself can answer, but White said he hasn’t heard anything from McGregor or his camp about “The Notorious” calling it a career.

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“It's the guys that start saying, ‘I've been thinking about retiring,’ and you know, the minute you start talking or thinking about retiring, you absolutely, positively should,” he said.

“I haven't heard that from him yet, but he hasn't spoken publicly yet. We'll see what he has to say.”

If McGregor does decide to return again and calls for a third meeting with Holloway, White admitted he wasn’t 100 percent sure what the UFC’s response would be.

“Yeah, I don't know. We'll see how this whole thing plays out,” he said.

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“There's a lot of unanswered questions right now that will play out over the next several days, and that's why I don't come into these things and start talking about the future or anything. I don't know.

“I don't know what's going to happen tonight, tomorrow, and Monday, and then we'll get back in the office on Tuesday, and it's just… it's not even worth talking about right now. I don't know enough.”

Paddy Pimblett’s Show-Stealing Submission

With McGregor stating his aim to bring the UFC back to Dublin, and Ian Machado Garry set to fight for the undisputed welterweight title, White was asked whether there was a chance the UFC could return to the Emerald Isle. His answer was a positive one.

“Absolutely,” he said.

“Well, I'll be there for Zuffa Boxing this summer, but the answer is yes. I love Ireland, and I'm actually looking forward to the fight there.”

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Zuffa Boxing will head to the 3Arena, which has hosted some memorable UFC events over the years. However, White explained that the venue’s relatively small capacity of 9,500 for the last two UFC events in the city effectively rules it out as a host for a big-scale numbered event. But there’s still scope for a smaller show to cross the pond in the future.

“It’s too small a venue to do something like tonight,” he said.

“But we could definitely bring a Fight Night there.”

Sophie Cunningham’s Surprise Octagon Girl Appearance

WNBA superstar Sophie Cunningham also drew headlines with her surprise appearance on fight night, with the Indiana Fever guard briefly appearing as a guest Octagon girl for the co-main event bout between Pimblett and Saint Denis.

White was asked how it came to fruition and when it all came together.

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“About eight minutes before she did it!” he smiled.

“I love Sophie Cunningham. We've created a relationship, and she was here tonight. And when she walked in, she goes, ‘Oh, I want to walk around that [Octagon]’ I said, ‘Then you're going to walk around it!’”

Conor McGregor’s Contribution To The Growth Of UFC

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Conor McGregor, but his sporting legacy as one of the most impactful athletes in UFC history is already assured.

White paid tribute to McGregor, as well as the superstars who paved the way for him, as he reflected on the meteoric rise of the UFC.

“I give credit for the growth of the sport and the UFC to all the guys that have come up during every era,” he said.

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“We had the Chuck Liddell era, we had the Matt Hughes era, we had Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, the list goes on and on.

“I'm always trying to figure out how to beat last year, and we always do. And everybody has played a huge role in that. But you know, Conor is obviously the biggest superstar, not just in this sport, but in any sport.”

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