Dana White has dismissed the possibility of setting up a Michael Chandler UFC fight against Conor McGregor for the forthcoming UFC White House show, scheduled for June 14 at the South Lawn. Although both fighters had verbally agreed multiple times to face each other at this event, White recently confirmed that the bout will not take place.
McGregor and Chandler were once opposing coaches during The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 31 in 2023 and were slated to headline UFC 303. However, McGregor withdrew from that fight due to a toe injury. Following this, Chandler fought twice but ended up losing both matches, while McGregor has yet to fight since sustaining a broken leg at UFC 264 in 2021 against Dustin Poirier.
White’s Comments on the Potential Fight
In an interview with Complex Sports, Dana White addressed questions about the realism of the McGregor-Chandler matchup, responding firmly:
“No. That was a couple of years ago.” – Dana White, UFC President
White clearly indicated that discussions about this bout are outdated and that the fight no longer holds interest from the promotion’s perspective. He further added uncertainty about McGregor’s future in the sport, stating:
“We will see if Conor is gonna come back or not. We have been talking about it for a while. We will see how it plays out. I don’t know, though.” – Dana White, UFC President
McGregor’s Response to Fight Cancellation
After White’s rejection, Conor McGregor responded on social media, showing frustration yet maintaining readiness to compete. Posting on X, he wrote:
“Pick who ya want! The Mac sweats nothin and nobody.” – Conor McGregor, UFC Fighter
In another post shortly after, McGregor added a provocative message directed at the promotion:
“You can run, but you can’t hide. Fact.” – Conor McGregor, UFC Fighter
These statements underscore McGregor’s eagerness to return to the Octagon and face any opponent, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his comeback fight.
Background on McGregor and Chandler’s Recent Fight History
The anticipated fight between Chandler and McGregor has been affected significantly by injuries and missed opportunities. McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 due to a toe injury prevented the fight from taking place, while Chandler’s subsequent losses have likely diminished the bout’s appeal to UFC management. Meanwhile, McGregor’s prolonged absence from competition since the leg injury at UFC 264 has only added to concerns about his return.
Implications of the Fight Not Materializing
Dana White’s rejection of the bout at the UFC White House event highlights ongoing challenges in organizing marquee fights involving McGregor. With Chandler currently without a fight scheduled and McGregor’s return undecided, fans may have to wait longer to see either fighter back in the cage. This situation could impact UFC’s promotional plans for their high-profile June 14 event and raises questions about McGregor’s future involvement in the sport.
Both fighters carry significant fan interest, but White’s comments make it clear that the promotion is looking beyond this potential matchup. How McGregor’s comeback unfolds and which opponents the UFC pursues next will be key storylines in the coming months.
🚨 Dana White says he is NOT INTERESTED in Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler on the UFC White House card 😮
🗣️ “I know there’s talk of Michael Chandler and Conor, do you see that as realistic?”
🗣️ “No. That was a couple years ago.”
via @Complex pic.twitter.com/K7jgS7T6AU
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) January 15, 2026
Will we see Conor McGregor return to the UFC? We took the question straight to the source 🎯 pic.twitter.com/gAvQwO400c
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 16, 2026
You can run but you can’t hide. Fact.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 15, 2026
