Dana White, president and CEO of the UFC, has made it clear that he will not be scheduling the Michael Chandler McGregor fight for the UFC event planned at the White House this summer. Although fans have eagerly suggested that McGregor and Chandler should face off at the White House occasion, White dismissed the idea, emphasizing that the fight was set aside years ago.
The White House event is tentatively organized to coincide with President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14, 2024, with UFC matchmakers already preparing the fight card. However, repeated inquiries about McGregor vs. Chandler were met with a firm no from White, who referenced the fight’s stale status by saying,
“I mean, that was a couple of years ago.”
Dana White Keeps Doors Open for McGregor, but Doubts on Other Fighters
Despite denying the Chandler fight opportunity, White has not entirely ruled out a McGregor return to the octagon. The former two-division champion remains a prime figure in UFC, having returned to the drug testing pool in August to signal readiness for competition. White stated,
“We’ll see if Conor’s going to come back or not. We’ve been talking about it for a while. We’ll see. We’ll see how it plays out. I don’t know, though.”
White’s cautious optimism about McGregor contrasts with his bleak outlook on other potential fighters, like Jon Jones, whom he gave “a billion to one odds” of appearing at the White House event.
McGregor’s Inactivity and Fan Speculation on Future Opponents
Conor McGregor has not fought professionally since July 2021. His much-anticipated fight with Michael Chandler was previously scheduled to headline UFC International Fight Week in 2024 but was canceled after McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury. With Chandler sidelined, fans are now speculating about a potential trilogy fight involving Nate Diaz, McGregor’s long-time rival. Their previous two fights, which occurred over a decade ago, ended in a split decision. However, Diaz is not currently signed with the UFC, adding uncertainty to this matchup.
Impact and Prospects for the White House UFC Event
The rejection of the McGregor vs. Chandler fight for the White House event highlights the ongoing challenges in securing high-profile bouts amid injuries and contractual complications. McGregor’s potential return remains a subject of intense interest, with White indicating flexibility but no guarantees. The upcoming event, aligned with a significant political celebration, aims to showcase marquee fights, but the final lineup remains in flux as matchmakers work to deliver compelling bouts to fans.
