Dana White shares his ‘biggest problem’ with Conor McGregor

UFC President Dana White and former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor have made a lot of money together. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have their issues.

Speaking recently on the Barstool Sports podcast, the UFC boss opened up on his biggest issue with Conor McGregor. As you might have guessed if you’ve ever watched a Conor McGregor press conference, White’s biggest gripe has to do with the Irishman’s frequent tardiness.

McGregor rarely shows up on time. In fact, he was so late for the first UFC 229 pre-fight press conference that his opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov actually left before he arrived.

“Is Conor hard to deal with here and there? Yeah but he’s worth it,” White said of the Irish MMA superstar (transcript via SportsJOE.ie). “If people ask me what’s the biggest problem you have with Conor? It’s not showing up on time.

“Other than that, Conor’s incredible. Conor’s a fun guy to be around, he’s hilarious, he’s a great fighter, he’s fun to watch,” White continued. “If the guy showed up on time, he’d literally be perfect. He’d be perfect.

“We’re a global sport so when we do these press conferences, we’re on television networks all over the world that are taking this press conference. So they’re live and they’re ready to go and if Conor doesn’t show up for another 30 minutes, it’s a problem.

“We’ve got to fill the time and not only fill the time but keep people interested and get them willing to stick around which is tough to do these days.”

Conor McGregor is currently awaiting discipline from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, having been involved in a brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team after the UFC 229 main event. McGregor is expected to appear in front of the NSAC in late January. A suspension and fine are both almost certain.

While nothing is set in stone at present, Dana White has stated he’d like to see McGregor fight Dustin Poirier next, while Nurmagomedov battles Tony Ferguson. McGregor holds a previous knockout victory over Poirier, although this win occurred in the featherweight division many years ago.

Whatever the case, Conor McGregor certainly seems to plan on fighting again.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/20/2018.