Dana White: No Rousey on MSG show, McGregor vs. Diaz rematch might not happen

Dana White was on both ESPN SportsCenter and Colin Cowherd’s show on Fox Sports One Thursday promoting Saturday’s UFC 199, and also updated the status of Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey while he was at it.

In regards to McGregor, White said that a rematch with he and Nate Diaz may never happen. He said that McGregor badly wants the fight, White is trying to get the deal done, and Diaz has interest. He said he is trying, but doesn’t know if it will ever happen.

This stems from the meeting White and Lorenzo Fertitta had with Diaz on May 20. Diaz made demands for a rematch with McGregor that were evidently well above what UFC was going to offer. The talks ended without the sides coming close.

Regarding Rousey, White targeted either December or January for her return. She is believed to have two fights left on her current contract, and it should be noted that at least one potential buyer of UFC has wanted Rousey signed to a longer term deal due to her value as part of the product.

White said that Rousey just had arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday and is hoping she fights in December. If not, she’d fight on the first show of 2017, but that the 11/12 show in Madison Square Garden is out.

Rousey has a number of acting commitments, but the days are continually changing.

White also said that Rousey’s first fight back would be against whoever holds the bantamweight title.  Miesha Tate holds the title right now and will defend at UFC 200 against Amanda Nunes. Should Holly Holm beat Valentina Shevchenko two weeks later on FOX, one would think it’s an easy decision for Holm to challenge for the title in the fall.