UFC's Dana White Talks Conor McGregor's Next Fight, Jon Jones and More

UFC president Dana White said he remains hopeful of a rematch between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

White told TMZ Sports in an interview released Saturday he's unsure whether the timing will work out for a meeting in the imminent future, with Khabib set to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18.

"I don't know if Conor wants to wait for him," he said. "We'll see what happens. Conor might not wait."

White also discussed a possible rematch between Dominick Reyes and Jon Jones, who defended his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship with a win over Reyes in early February. The fight was closer than the unanimous decision would suggest, though.

"I think [Reyes deserves a rematch]," White told TMZ. "You'd be crazy not to think he deserves a rematch."

Nurmagomedov scored a submission victory over McGregor when they battled for the lightweight title at UFC 229 in October 2018.

The Notorious returned to the Octagon from a 15-month absence following that loss to score a first-round knockout of Donald Cerrone in January.

"OK, the lightweight title will be there," McGregor told reporters of his future plans after beating Cerrone. "You see the difference in [my] physique, the preparation and that. That will come around, that shot."

Nurmagomedov has continually shrugged off suggestions about a McGregor rematch, however, including when asked in early February whether a $100 million payday could seal the deal.

"Why do I need that kind of money?" Khabib said. "There are so many organizations. For example, there's not only [soccer] for the blind, there's sambo and other sports. Let [the UFC] give it to them if they don't know what to do with the money. But giving me $100 million for me to beat up that idiot again? I don't think that's rational."

Meanwhile, Reyes won the first 12 bouts of his professional career to earn the title shot against Jones, and he told ESPN's Ariel Helwani on the MMA Show he earned the longtime champion's respect in their bout.

"He said I shocked him," Reyes said. "He didn't really expect that from me. And he thanked me for making him a better martial artist. He said, 'Our rematch is gonna be epic.'"

Jones defended the result on social media after Reyes' contentions about the decision:

He also took a shot at the fighter he deemed a "new rival" in a later Twitter post:

Neither star's next bout has been scheduled, leaving the door open for an immediate rematch.