UFC President Dana White has publicly dismissed claims that Conor McGregor will make his long-awaited comeback against Michael Chandler on the promotion's upcoming White House event.
White Contradicts McGregor's 'Done Deal' Claim
This statement directly contradicts McGregor's own recent assertion that his participation in the event, with Chandler as his opponent, was a confirmed arrangement. The Irish superstar had characterised the fight as a "done deal," but White has now poured cold water on those rumours.
Speaking on the matter, White indicated that the UFC has no current interest in revisiting the rivalry between McGregor and Chandler. He downplayed the matchup, suggesting their feud was a story from "a couple years ago" and not a priority for the organisation's future plans.
The Long Road Back for 'The Notorious'
Conor McGregor's absence from the Octagon has been lengthy and complicated. His last fight was in July 2021, where he suffered a severe broken leg. This physical setback was compounded by a backdated 18-month suspension for missing drug tests, a ban that is officially set to conclude on 20 March.
This planned return has faced further obstacles. A scheduled bout against Michael Chandler in June 2024 was scrapped after McGregor sustained a broken toe, pushing his comeback timeline back once again.
What's Next for McGregor and the UFC?
With the proposed White House card fight now seemingly off the table, the question of when and against whom Conor McGregor will finally return remains unanswered. Dana White's comments suggest the UFC is looking in a different direction, leaving fans and pundits to speculate on the next move for one of combat sports' biggest stars.
The situation highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding McGregor's fighting future. While the door on a Chandler fight appears closed for this specific event, the volatile nature of MMA means nothing can ever be entirely ruled out.
