UFC President Dana White has firmly rejected the prospect of Conor McGregor facing Michael Chandler at the upcoming UFC White House event, surprising many in the MMA community. The much-anticipated bout, expected to take place on June 14 during the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump’s birthday, now appears unlikely to happen.
Expectations for a High-Profile McGregor-Chandler Matchup
Many within the mixed martial arts world had anticipated a showdown between McGregor and Chandler at the White House card. Since the fight card was announced, fans and analysts alike have debated several potential headline bouts. McGregor, who confirmed his decision to return to competition by rejoining the UFC’s drug testing pool, had singled out Chandler as his opponent back in September. The Irish fighter cited the chance to finally settle their rivalry, which began during their time coaching opposite sides on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023.
The bout was initially scheduled for UFC 303 in June 2024, aiming to resolve the tension between the two veterans. However, plans collapsed after McGregor suffered a toe injury, forcing the fight’s cancellation. Despite these setbacks, Chandler had maintained confidence earlier this year that the fight would still materialize at the White House event.
Dana White Confirms the Fight Is Off the Table
Contrary to the ongoing speculation, Dana White shut down any hopes of the McGregor vs. Chandler fight during an interview with Complex. When asked about the likelihood of this matchup, White responded simply and decisively, “No.” He elaborated that the rivalry was relevant years ago and indicated uncertainty about McGregor’s return, stating,
“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.”
White also made it clear that the proposed fight was not something he currently considered, saying,
No [that’s nothing I would entertain].
Background of the McGregor-Chandler Rivalry
McGregor and Chandler’s tension grew during their coaching tenure on The Ultimate Fighter, leading fans to eagerly await their eventual clash in the octagon. After the cancellation of their scheduled fight at UFC 303, hopes lingered that they might meet at the White House event instead. Chandler himself reaffirmed this intention as recently as January, fueling fan excitement for the bout.
Unfortunately, White’s firm dismissal has cast significant doubt on these plans, leaving many in the MMA world shocked and disappointed.
Mixed Reactions from MMA Fans Online
Social media platforms quickly filled with responses to Dana White’s announcement. Some fans expressed skepticism, with one noting,
He was just hyping it up last year lmao.
Another user commented,
Chandler was so sure he was getting the fight.
Others seemed surprised by the reversal, with one writing,
“Wait what?? I thought that was the plan this whole time. Heard rumours they’re looking at the Nate Diaz trilogy.”
Frustration also ran high among supporters of McGregor and Chandler, evident in reactions such as
This guy goes back on his word every f****** day.
Others sympathized with Chandler, while some speculated that UFC brass might be pivoting toward a trilogy between McGregor and Nate Diaz instead of the Chandler matchup.
Recent Fight Performances and Future UFC Headlines
Conor McGregor has not competed since suffering consecutive defeats to Dustin Poirier, leaving fans uncertain about his return timeline. Meanwhile, Michael Chandler was most recently defeated by Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 this past April. Pimblett is slated to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24 in the first main event of the year under Dana White’s promotion, vying for the interim lightweight title.
This shifting landscape of fighters and matchups underscores the unpredictability of UFC’s fight cards and highlights ongoing questions about McGregor’s future in the sport. As speculation builds around potential alternatives, including a Nate Diaz trilogy, fans will likely continue watching closely for official announcements.
