‘We’ve been talking about it’ – Dana White shocks fans with Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler at UFC White House update

Dana White has shockingly dismissed the idea of Conor McGregor fighting Michael Chandler at the White House.

Several members of the MMA fraternity had expected Chandler to fight McGregor at the UFC‘s monumental White House show.

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UFC White House is set to take place on US President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Ever since the card was made official, fans have been debating their dream match-ups.

McGregor has constantly been front and centre of conversations as he confirmed he would return for the event, re-entering the promotion’s drug testing pool as the first step.

The Irishman even confirmed Chandler as his opponent in September, claiming he would be fighting the American to settle their rivalry from The Ultimate Fighter.

Dana White says ‘no’ to Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler

Well, according to the boss, UFC CEO Dana White, that’s not a fight that will be happening any time soon.

Speaking to Complex, White was asked if McGregor fighting Chandler at the White House is a realistic proposition, given all the public talk from the fighters, fans and the media.

“No,” White responded.

“I mean, that was a couple of years ago.

“No [that’s nothing I would entertain].”

He later added: “We’ll see if Conor’s going to come back or not.

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“We’ve been talking about it for a while – we’ll see how it plays out.

“I don’t know, though.”

McGregor coached alongside Chandler on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023.

Both men were then expected to conclude their rivalry by fighting.

The fight was booked to take place at UFC 303 in June 2024, but was cancelled at short notice when McGregor injured his toe.

As recently as January this year, Chandler reaffirmed his plan to fight McGregor at the White House, saying that it sounds like the fight is going to take place.

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White’s blunt response to making the fight has left MMA fans shook.

MMA fans react to Dana White’s McGregor vs Chandler admission

One fan wrote on X: “He was just hyping it up last year lmao.”

Another said: “Chandler was so sure he was getting the fight.”

A third added: “Wait what?? I thought that was the plan this whole time. Heard rumours they’re looking at the Nate Diaz trilogy.

While a fourth wrote: “This guy goes back on his word every f****** day.”

Other fans ‘felt sorry’ for Chandler and some predicted White may be looking to set up a trilogy between McGregor and Nate Diaz instead.

McGregor hasn’t fought since back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier, while Chandler was beaten up by Paddy Pimblett last time out at UFC 314 in April.

Pimblett fights Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24 for the interim lightweight title in the first main event of the year in White’s promotion.