TLDR
- Dana White officially ruled out a fight between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor for the White House UFC event in June
- Chandler responded with a sarcastic social media post mocking how easy it is to generate headlines with non-commitments
- McGregor stated he is ready to fight anyone and asked the UFC to pick his opponent
- Jorge Masvidal has hinted at possible talks for a fight with McGregor at the White House card
- Chandler had been waiting for years to fight McGregor, believing the White House event would finally make it happen
Sources: Times of India | Wrestling World | Middle Easy
Michael Chandler has finally spoken out after UFC president Dana White ended hopes for his long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor. The lightweight fighter responded with humor and frustration on social media following White’s announcement.
White made it clear while promoting upcoming UFC events and the organization’s new media deal with Paramount that a Chandler versus McGregor matchup will not happen. He said the fight would have been exciting “a couple of years ago,” but not anymore.
The announcement came as a blow to Chandler, who had been waiting patiently for his shot at the former two-division champion. Hopes had risen when President Donald Trump announced the UFC would host a special event at the White House on June 14.
McGregor publicly stated he wanted to fight on that historic card, which seemed like the perfect opportunity for the Chandler matchup. Chandler even said he felt more confident than ever that the fight would finally happen.
Chandler’s Sarcastic Social Media Response
After White’s comments spread across the internet, Chandler took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his reaction. He wrote: “How easy is it to get a headline these days: ‘I cannot confirm nor deny’ about ANYTHING. Yeah, I cannot confirm nor deny if I landed on the moon last week.”
Michael Chandler reacts to speculation about Conor McGregor taking on Jorge Masvidal at UFC White House 🙄#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/KsAf7XyvGg
— Sportskeeda MMA (@sportskeedaMMA) January 20, 2026
The post appeared to reference Jorge Masvidal, who has been teasing a potential fight with McGregor. Masvidal posted on social media that he could not confirm or deny talks with McGregor but admitted discussions were happening about the White House event.
McGregor responded to White’s announcement by saying he is ready to fight anyone. The 37-year-old told the UFC to choose his opponent for him.
New Opponents Enter the Picture
Fans have started discussing other possible opponents for McGregor’s return. Masvidal, known as “Gamebred,” has become a leading candidate after his social media hints about big news coming.
Another option being discussed is a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz. McGregor and Diaz have split their two previous fights, making a third matchup appealing to many fans.
For now, the UFC has not confirmed any opponent for McGregor. No official announcement has been made about who will fight on the White House card.
McGregor has shared recent training photos on social media showing he is in strong physical shape. The images suggest he is preparing for a return to competition after a long absence from the octagon.
Chandler’s wait for the McGregor fight has lasted for months, with the lightweight contender turning down other opportunities. His patience appeared to be paying off when McGregor expressed interest in fighting at the White House event.
White’s decision to rule out the matchup represents a major shift in the UFC’s plans. The promotion had previously kept the door open for Chandler versus McGregor despite multiple delays.
Masvidal later stated that discussions about fighting McGregor were “not looking bad,” further fueling speculation about the White House card. The former UFC welterweight star has been hinting at a return to action after stepping away from competition.
