UFC President Dana White has ruled out a potential Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler fight for the landmark June 14 event on the White House South Lawn, calling it an outdated matchup. White described the fight as tied to a past hype cycle centered around their 2023 Ultimate Fighter coaching roles, indicating the promotion is moving on from that storyline for its most prestigious card ever.
McGregor Responds with Defiance on Social Media
Despite Dana White’s dismissal, Conor McGregor took to X to assert his readiness for competition. The Irish fighter posted,
You can run but you can’t hide. Fact.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 15, 2026, highlighting his eagerness to face any challenger the UFC places before him, even as the organization pursues other headline options for the White House event.
White Targets Alternative High-Profile Matchups for the Card
Rather than reviving the McGregor-Chandler narrative, White is exploring other blockbuster fights, most notably expressing interest in a super fight between former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and middleweight champion Alex Pereira. This potential matchup, White suggests, would better suit the magnitude of an event being held at the seat of American political power and attract widespread attention.
White commented on this possibility, stating,
That would be a fight, but can I count on Jon Jones? I can’t have Jon Jones doing something bad or pulling out of the White House fight.
— Dana White, UFC President
Strategic Considerations for the UFC’s Groundbreaking Event
The White House South Lawn card represents an unprecedented opportunity for the UFC to showcase its fighters on a global stage and capture a historic cultural moment. With such importance, Dana White is prioritizing flawless event execution, meaning careful matchup selections that avoid fighter controversies, last-minute cancellations, or disruptions.
This deliberate shift toward securing proven high-draw fighters reflects White’s intent to elevate the card beyond familiar narratives. While McGregor remains a major star with global influence, the timing for a McGregor versus Chandler fight does not align with White’s vision for this event’s impact and prestige.
Uncertainties Ahead as UFC Builds Toward the White House Fight
In the coming weeks, it will become clearer if the Jones-Pereira fight is secured or if Dana White opts for other headline clashes. Regardless of the specifics, the White House UFC event is poised to be a transformative moment in combat sports promotion, showcasing the organization’s commitment to careful matchmaking aimed at maximizing significance and spectacle.
https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/2011844583483682832
https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/2011848300623003787
https://twitter.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2011856414361149492
