Conor McGregor has addressed UFC president Dana White’s dismissal of Michael Chandler as his comeback opponent, as McGregor eyes a return to the octagon at the UFC’s upcoming White House event this June. After nearly five years away from UFC competition, McGregor plans to re-enter the cage, despite uncertainty about who will face him in this high-profile bout. The ongoing negotiations have stirred debate, especially regarding Chandler’s status, amid McGregor’s exploration of other challengers.
Dana White Rules Out Chandler Fight, Refers to Past Cancellations
In a recent interview with Complex, Dana White was questioned about the possibility of McGregor facing Michael Chandler in the UFC comeback. White referred to their previously scheduled fight that never materialized, stating,
“No, that was a couple years ago.”
This comment alluded to the cancelled UFC 303 matchup, which was scrapped due to McGregor’s toe injury. Despite the historical context of that bout and their roles as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31, White’s remarks indicated Chandler is no longer the target for McGregor’s comeback fight.
McGregor’s Defiant Reaction Fuels Speculation on Future Opponents
In response to White’s statement, McGregor took to Twitter with a confident challenge, stating, “Pick who ya want!” followed by a bold declaration:
“The Mac sweats nothing and nobody. I’m TASTY SHOTS.”
This defiant sentiment underscores McGregor’s readiness to face whoever the UFC decides. His fight history reveals a difficult period, with his last victory dating back to a knockout over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in 2020, followed by consecutive losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021.
Michael Chandler’s Recent Struggles Dim Prospects for a McGregor Matchup
Meanwhile, Michael Chandler has faced challenges of his own, suffering five defeats in his last six outings, most recently falling to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. Despite these setbacks, Chandler remains optimistic about a potential encounter with McGregor. However, Dana White’s comments have introduced doubt about whether that matchup will occur as part of McGregor’s comeback. The uncertainty leaves fans and fighters alike questioning how the event lineup will unfold as fight night approaches.
Anticipating the Impact of McGregor’s Return to the UFC
As Conor McGregor prepares for his much-anticipated return, the question of his opponent remains unresolved, with Dana White signaling a shift away from the previously assumed Michael Chandler fight. McGregor’s willingness to confront any challenger adds a layer of unpredictability to the UFC’s plans for the White House event. How this comeback will influence the lightweight division and McGregor’s legacy remains to be seen, but the upcoming weeks promise more developments in this unfolding story.
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