Conor McGregor, the Irish MMA heavyweight, has responded sharply after UFC president Dana White dismissed the possibility of a fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler as McGregor prepares to return from an 18-month suspension for missing drug tests. The refusal of a Michael Chandler fight reignites tensions ahead of a major UFC event in June.
Since his last fight in 2021, when McGregor lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, the former dual-division UFC champion has been eyeing a comeback. McGregor and Chandler, who clashed as rival coaches on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ season 31 in 2023, were slated to meet a year later, but McGregor pulled out due to a training injury.
White Ends Speculation About McGregor vs. Chandler Bout
White was clear in denying the matchup during an interview with Complex, when asked if McGregor and Chandler could fight at a UFC event planned for the White House. “No,” White asserted bluntly. He elaborated,
No [that’s nothing I would entertain].
He further commented,
We’ll see if Conor’s going to come back or not. We’ve been talking about it for a while – we’ll see how it plays out. I don’t know, though.
Despite White’s denial, McGregor remains undeterred and vocal on social media, expressing confidence and readiness. On X, McGregor wrote:
Pick who ya want!
and
The Mac sweats nothing and nobody. I’m TASTY SHOTS.
McGregor Faces Setbacks Amid Suspension but Remains Focused
Following three missed drug tests in 2024, McGregor was initially handed a two-year ban, but the suspension was later reduced to 18 months. He is now set to be eligible to fight again from March 20. The delay complicates immediate plans for his return but does not quell his eagerness to take part in the upcoming historic White House event scheduled for June 14.
For Chandler, the rejection represents a significant disappointment. After expressing strong confidence in securing a fight with McGregor, Chandler acknowledged the uncertainty caused by White’s refusal. Speaking to ESPN, Chandler admitted:
The odds are higher than they ever have been, at this point,
while also emphasizing mutual desire for the bout,
It’s no secret, obviously, that I want to fight Conor. And it’s no secret, from the things that he is posting, the interviews he is doing, the number of times he has said my name, posting a video of me and him and our highlights… he wants to fight me, and I want to fight him.
He continued, emphasizing the significance of a potential White House showdown:
He wants to fight at the White House. I want nothing more than to be wearing the red, white and blue and walking onto the White House lawn. You know how hard it is to put percentages on anything in mixed martial arts, it’s such a crazy sport and that’s why we love it. But one thing is for sure — Conor wants to fight me at the White House, I want to fight him at the White House. Conversations are being had, things are moving in that direction.
Chandler also stressed the intensity of their rivalry:
But we will never know when this thing is going to be announced. All I know is that I will start training soon, laser-focused on June. They will keep holding the cards close to their chest as they always do, to keep things a secret.
He added,
Conversations are happening. I am trying to make this thing happen. Conor and I have our history, it boiled over a couple of times. Words were said, pushes happened, we have a history.
Details About the Historic UFC Event at the White House
The June 14 gathering at the White House will be a landmark occasion timed with former President Donald Trump’s birthday, featuring fighter appearances and UFC bouts. While tickets will not be sold to the general public, White revealed plans for a large on-site screening event for fans near the White House itself.
Discussing logistics in an interview with CBS, White said,
We literally just got done going through all the logistics of how to set it up there, how many people we can have,
and added,
It’s looking like we’ll have 5,000 people live on the White House lawn,
further explaining,
It will be on the south lawn and then across the street is the park, it’s called the Ellipse, I think, and we can have 85,000 people there. We’re going to have big screens and we’re going to have a stage, we’ll have music throughout the day.
White emphasized the significance of the event, saying,
We’re basically going to take over D.C. that whole week with lots of different things for fight fans. Then obviously a one of one event to be able to have it at the White House. Fighters will actually walk from the Oval Office to the octagon.
What This Means for McGregor’s Future and UFC Fans
While Dana White’s rejection of the Michael Chandler fight puts a damper on fans’ hopes for their much-anticipated showdown, McGregor’s determination remains clear. The unfolding situation surrounding McGregor’s suspension and readiness to return from March sets the stage for significant speculation about his next opponent.
For Michael Chandler, the refusal represents a considerable obstacle in his quest to face off with McGregor, complicating plans to climax their rivalry in a highly publicized bout. The broader UFC community and fight fans will be watching closely to see if negotiations can revive this matchup or if McGregor’s comeback will chart a different course.
Ultimately, the historic White House event promises to be a memorable celebration of MMA and boxing fans and marks a unique moment for the UFC as it intertwines with American political symbolism and spectacle.
