Conor McGregor has reignited speculation about his UFC return, stating during an appearance on Fox & Friends that he is set to fight Michael Chandler at the promotion’s historic White House card in 2026.
“The Mac is excited to get back for sure. I’m on it [the White House event],” McGregor said.
“This is me… [I’m fighting] Michael Chandler. Michael Chandler and myself have done the show The Ultimate Fighter, we’ve had a good back and forth. He’s a good, tough guy.”
The comments from McGregor, 37, come without official confirmation from the UFC, but they align with ongoing buzz around the matchup, which was first teased after the pair coached on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023.
Previous attempts to book the fight fell through, including a scrapped UFC 303 headliner due to McGregor’s toe injury. McGregor hasn’t competed since suffering a leg break in his 2021 trilogy defeat to Dustin Poirier.
UFC CEO Dana White is pushing to assemble the “greatest fight card of all time” for the White House event, set for July 4, 2026, on the South Lawn to mark America’s 250th birthday.
Renderings show an Octagon for 5,000 attendees, with a larger viewing party at the Ellipse and a live CBS broadcast.
White has called it a “done deal,” inspired by President Donald Trump.
Chandler, 39, fresh off a loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314, recently voiced his belief in the bout materializing there. “I think we’re closer now than we ever have been,” Chandler said.
“In my heart of hearts, I think I’m fighting Conor McGregor at the White House and that sure does make a ton of sense for a multitude of reasons.”
McGregor, who withdrew from Ireland’s presidential race earlier this week, continues to generate headlines. Fans are divided, with some hyping the potential spectacle while others question if “The Notorious” will follow through.
If realized, it could be a massive draw for the landmark card.
