TLDR
- Dana White confirmed McGregor vs Chandler will not happen at the UFC White House event on June 14
- The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 303 in June 2024 but was canceled due to McGregor’s broken toe
- McGregor has not fought in nearly five years and must complete drug-testing requirements before returning
- Chandler had expressed optimism about the fight happening, saying conversations were taking place
- White said the matchup “was a couple of years ago” and expressed uncertainty about McGregor’s comeback plans
Sources: MMA Fighting | Sherdog | Fightful
UFC president Dana White has ended speculation about Conor McGregor fighting Michael Chandler at the upcoming White House event. White told Complex News that the matchup will not happen at the historic June 14 card in Washington, D.C.
“No, that was a couple of years ago,” White said when asked if he would consider booking the fight. “No.”
The UFC White House event is scheduled to take place on the White House lawn with 5,000 dignitaries attending cageside. Another 85,000 fans will watch from across the street.
The Long Wait for a Canceled Fight
McGregor and Chandler were originally set to fight at UFC 303 in June 2024. The Irish fighter withdrew from that bout after suffering a broken toe injury.
The two fighters coached against each other on The Ultimate Fighter 31 in 2023. That coaching stint was meant to set up their eventual fight, which has never materialized.
McGregor, now 37, has not fought in nearly five years. His last appearance was in July 2021 when he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier.
Dana White isn't interested in Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler at the #UFCWhiteHouse card
📰 https://t.co/6r7R6MPNEy pic.twitter.com/ZTI1OB7lnM
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 15, 2026
The former two-division champion holds a 22-6 record. He has lost three of his last four fights inside the octagon.
Chandler has been vocal about wanting the fight to happen at the White House. Last week, he told ESPN that “the odds are higher than they ever have been.”
“Conor wants to fight me at the White House, I want to fight him at the White House,” Chandler said. “Conversations are being had, things are moving in that direction.”
The 39-year-old fighter insisted that both he and McGregor want the matchup. He pointed to McGregor’s social media posts and interviews as evidence of the Irish fighter’s interest.
McGregor’s Return Remains Uncertain
White expressed uncertainty about McGregor’s comeback plans. “We’ll see if Conor is gonna come back or not,” White said.
“We’ve been talking about it for a while,” the UFC president added. “We’ll see how it plays out.”
McGregor must complete his drug-testing suspension before he can compete again. The suspension is part of the UFC’s anti-doping protocol for returning fighters.
McGregor has recently rejoined the testing pool. He has also been campaigning for a return fight on social media.
Chandler has struggled recently with a 23-10 record. He has lost five of his last six fights, most recently a stoppage loss to Paddy Pimblett.
Pimblett fights Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title next week at UFC 324. That fight could create new matchmaking possibilities for the lightweight division.
No fights have been officially announced for the UFC White House card yet. White has indicated that announcements will come after prior scheduled events take place.
White is keeping his options open for who McGregor might face if the fighter does return. The UFC president suggested the Chandler matchup belongs in the past rather than being revived for the historic White House event.
