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25th June 2019
03:18pm BST

The UFC 223 bus attack, the two spicy press conferences ahead of McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov and the post-fight brawl at UFC 229 were a stain on the year. Few would wish to see those antics return but White, the UFC president, is open to McGregor showing up in the Middle East.
In an interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, White said:
"Nothing has changed with Conor since the last time I spoke with you. He wants the [Khabib] rematch and we'll see how this thing plays out in September." "He could show up," White added. "He could. Possibly... he could, probably, show up to that fight but I don't know if he will. He hasn't said anything to me... "I don't think that [their past issues] is going to be a problem. I honestly believe that, in that region, they like Conor McGregor too. I know that they take things a little serious when things are said, but Khabib won the fight. It's all just trash-talk. "It's no secret that, with Khabib and Conor there is no love lost. Those guys do not like each other. Culturally, I don't think [it will be an issue]. I would have no problem with Conor showing up there."One would advise security staff at du Arena, in Abu Dhabi, to keep their hand-carts safely stowed away for the week of UFC 242. [caption id="attachment_156046" align="aligncenter" width="675"]
Credit: Anatomy of a Fighter[/caption]
In the same interview, White revealed that Jose Aldo - a former opponent of McGregor - had signed a new, long-term contract with the UFC. The Brazilian had been talking up a possible sporting switch, to boxing, but he will remain in the promotion a while yet.Explore more on these topics: