Dana White has officially shut down speculation surrounding a potential fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. The UFC CEO confirmed that the long-discussed matchup is not happening.
White’s comments directly address one of the most talk-about bouts in MMA over the past few years. McGregor and Chandler served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. However, they never ended up fighting, as their scheduled bout for UFC 303 was canceled after ‘The Notorious’ suffered an injury.
Chandler has remained hopeful that he would fight McGregor at the UFC’s White House event in June. The former two-division UFC champion even hinted that ‘Iron’ would be his opponent.
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, White addressed whether McGregor and Chandler would compete at the White House. The UFC CEO confirmed that McGregor vs. Chandler is no longer the plan.
“No disrespect to [Michael] Chandler. We love Chandler. You don’t have enough time in your show for me to talk to you about how awesome Chandler is,” White said. “You know how I feel about Conor [McGregor] and everything that he’s done for the sport and this company. But yeah, that’s not the fight we’re going with.”
Dana White Hints at Conor McGregor Competing at UFC White House Event
Dana White also hinted that Conor McGregor could be returning at the UFC’s White House event.
White revealed that he has been actively communicating with McGregor and that the Irishman is interested in competing. Although a bout with Michael Chandler is no longer the plan, the former two-division UFC champion remains in the mix.
“Conor and I have a great relationship. We talk a lot through text and he’s definitely in the running for this [event],” White told The Pat McAfee Show.
White admitted that the matchmakers haven’t begun working on the card, but will do so on Monday. He remains focused on UFC 324 and launching Zuffa Boxing on Paramount+ this weekend.
“My entire focus right now is on the launch this weekend. I got [Zuffa] boxing on Friday, [UFC 324] on Saturday,” White said. “On Monday, we’re all in on the White House fight. We don’t have anything laid out. Nothing. It’ll all start Monday.”
Insider Sounds Off on White for Moving On From McGregor vs. Chandler
Ariel Helwani criticized White for publicly moving on from McGregor vs. Chandler after ‘Iron’ patiently waited for years.
After multiple delays and uncertainty, Chandler ended up returning to the octagon to face Charles Oliveira. He lost that fight but remained interested in facing McGregor when he was ready to return. However, months later, ‘Iron’ accepted another fight against Paddy Pimblett, which he lost by 3rd round TKO.
Once the White House event was made official, it seemed like McGregor vs. Chandler would finally become a reality. ‘Iron’ continued hinted at the fight during several interviews.
In an X post, Helwani blasted the UFC CEO for essentially wasting years of Chandler’s career.
“Remarkable, really. White confirms, once again, that Chandler isn’t getting the McGregor fight and then adds, ‘No disrespect to Chandler,’ and that he loves him. Reminder: that fight was agreed to three years ago,” Helwani wrote. “Fight was supposed to happen in June 2024 before McGregor gets hurt.”
He added:
“Chandler, a model fighter when it comes to business: never complains, never publicly negotiates, etc – patiently waits. Keeps promoting it. And now – if White is to be believed – has it snatched away from him.”
Dana White Ends Speculation on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Fight