Ali Akbar Rosady
Mixed martial arts contender Michael Chandler remains steadfast in his pursuit of a highly anticipated bout against Conor McGregor, despite recent pronouncements from UFC CEO Dana White suggesting the matchup is no longer viable. Chandler, an American professional fighter with a record of 23 wins and 9 losses, expressed a measured response to White’s remarks, indicating a persistent belief that the fight could still materialize, particularly on the monumental "White House card" scheduled for June 14.
The potential clash between Chandler and McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion with a record of 22 wins and 6 losses, has been one of the most talked-about fixtures in the sport for over a year. The narrative began to unfold when both athletes served as opposing coaches on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), which concluded in August 2023. The coaching stint was widely understood to be a precursor to a showdown in the octagon. The bout was subsequently slated for UFC 303 in June 2024, only for McGregor to withdraw due to a toe injury, leaving the highly anticipated contest in limbo.
In McGregor’s absence from active competition, Chandler has maintained his competitive edge, albeit facing challenging outcomes. He has fought twice since the conclusion of TUF 31, suffering losses to Charles Oliveira and Paddy Pimblett. Despite these setbacks, Chandler has consistently articulated that a fight against McGregor represents the most logical and compelling next step for both their careers, particularly for McGregor’s return to the octagon after a prolonged hiatus.
However, the prospect of this clash was recently cast into doubt when UFC CEO Dana White publicly stated that "the ship has sailed" on the McGregor vs. Chandler matchup. White’s comments indicated a shift in the promotion’s plans, prompting Chandler to address the situation directly during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
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"My reaction is we will see," Chandler commented, reflecting on White’s definitive statement. "We’ll see how this whole thing plays out. Obviously, nobody has any idea what the fights are going to be on the White House card. It is going to be the biggest card they’ve ever assembled. Whether it be the biggest fights, obviously the biggest venue, and, you know, we’ll see. Is that 100 percent how it’s going to be, me and Conor not fighting at the White House? I don’t know. All I know is I can control what I can control and that’s me just doing exactly what I’ve been doing since Day 1, since I started the sport."
Chandler acknowledged the discouraging nature of White’s remarks but maintained a perspective rooted in experience within the unpredictable landscape of professional mixed martial arts. "Obviously, it’s not encouraging. It’s not great to hear, but I’ve also heard many things that were not encouraging that turned out to be not true or just flat-out false, so we just keep on going," he elaborated. "Until the fights get announced, until Conor McGregor gets announced his next opponent, until I do or do not get announced as his next opponent or do or do not get announced as being on the White House card, until then all we can do is just hope and pray and kind of see what happens."
The "White House card" refers to a historic UFC event scheduled for June 14, which White has confirmed will be attended by President Donald Trump and numerous high-ranking officials and VIPs. White has frequently reiterated that the primary focus for the UFC in recent months has been on navigating the complex logistics and securing the venue for this unprecedented event, rather than finalizing specific matchups. This prioritization has naturally led to a fluid situation regarding fight announcements, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding Chandler’s aspirations.
Amidst the speculation, other names have surfaced as potential opponents for McGregor. Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal, known for his "Street Jesus" persona and "super necessary" catchphrase, hinted at his inclusion on the White House card and fanned the flames of a rumored matchup with McGregor. Masvidal, who holds a professional record of 35 wins and 17 losses, retired from the sport in April 2023 but has strong ties to former President Trump. However, White swiftly dismissed these rumors as "goofy s***," aligning with Chandler’s initial skepticism.
Chandler commented on Masvidal’s self-insertion into the narrative, stating, "I think [Masvidal] originated it. When you say you cannot confirm nor deny something, you’re kind of implying that you’re putting your name in there. I like Jorge, I’ve got a ton of respect for him. Shoot, he and I have talked about fighting each other in the past, but it’s all respect. He’s a fan favorite, people love to see him fight, and obviously he’s got the Trump connection. He wants to fight at the White House card."
Chandler understands the competitive nature of fighters vying for a spot on such a high-profile event. "Every single person on the entire roster wants to be on the UFC White House card. At any given moment, somebody wants to try to insert themselves into the talks, into the narrative, into the possible fantasy matchmaking at any given time. I’ve known that since the very beginning, I’ve seen a lot of different talks, but as I said, just sitting and the patience of knowing that you can’t really control anything and sometimes narratives can take steam and catch legs, but it remains to be seen." He concluded, noting, "After this weekend, as Dana said, matchmaking starts on Monday, that’s when the talks will really be happening to solidify who’s on the White House card. I think I’ll be on the White House card. Opponent as of right now remains to be seen, so we’ll see what happens."
Reflecting on his emotional state following White’s comments, Chandler admitted to being human but resisted categorizing his feelings as "deflated." "I am human. So I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t exactly encouraging. Would I have rather have not have heard it? Of course," Chandler stated. He acknowledged that anything short of a definitive confirmation for the fight would be "deflating," but he maintains a resilient outlook. "You’ve just got to kind of take it as it comes and know that you’re not in control. Know that they’re going to say what they want to say and they’re going to do what they want to do and I’m just going to be along for the ride."
Chandler concluded with a firm declaration of his continued resolve. "So no, I wouldn’t say ‘deflated.’ I wouldn’t go as far as to say ‘deflated’ because I’ve still got the confident expectancy that I’m fighting Conor McGregor on the White House lawn. So until I am proven otherwise, we’ll just continue on this course of action until the announcement gets made. That’s where we’re at."
Beyond the McGregor Saga: Other Significant UFC Developments
The broader UFC landscape continues to evolve with several notable stories emerging this week. In a surprising revelation, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA) publicly disputed claims of increased fighter pay under the UFC’s reported $7.7 billion Paramount deal, stating, "I’m not getting one dollar more." This sentiment highlights ongoing discussions within the fighter community regarding compensation in light of the promotion’s substantial financial agreements.
Meanwhile, bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 1 NC) issued an apology for a controversial mask gag during a faceoff with Song Yadong (21-8-1 MMA, 1 NC), asserting, "My intentions were never harmful." The incident drew mixed reactions and underscores the delicate balance between promotional antics and sportsmanship in the UFC.
In the women’s division, Amanda Nunes (23-6 MMA), following her recent loss to Kayla Harrison (17-1 MMA) at UFC 324, released her first statement since the defeat, indicating her willingness to fight someone other than Harrison, but "only for undisputed gold." This suggests Nunes, widely considered one of the greatest female fighters of all time, remains focused on reclaiming a championship title.
In a more somber development, former UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik (14-6 MMA) was arrested on a felony false imprisonment charge after allegedly biting his partner. The incident has drawn significant attention and is currently under investigation.
UFC 324 Previews and Community Insights
As UFC 324 approaches, media activities are in full swing. The event’s media day provided fighters with opportunities to address the press, while interviews, such as MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin’s discussion with Dan Hooker (23-13 MMA), offered deeper insights into competitor preparations and mindsets. Further breakdowns and analyses are circulating across platforms, supplemented by the latest installment of UFC 324 Embedded, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the week leading up to the fights. The pre-fight press conference also served as a crucial platform for final face-offs and verbal exchanges.
In the realm of sports betting, analysts Jed Meshew and Long Island Luke have initiated discussions for 2026, exploring optimal wagering opportunities for UFC 324 on their "No Bets Barred" segment, catering to the growing interest in MMA sports betting.
The MMA community’s pulse is also evident across social media. Official channels are disseminating the definitive fight week schedule, keeping fans informed. Personal updates from fighters offer glimpses into their lives and training, such as Kevin Holland’s (26-11 MMA, 1 NC) humorous take on a dentist visit being the only thing to slow him down. Darren Till (18-5-1 MMA) weighed in on the ongoing feud between Paddy Pimblett (22-4 MMA) and Dan Hooker, adding to the social commentary surrounding active rivalries. Inspirational messages and calls to "speak it into existence" from various figures reflect the motivational aspects prevalent in combat sports. The overall sentiment is one of anticipation, with the "calm before the storm" atmosphere pervading as the next major UFC event draws near.
The situation surrounding Conor McGregor’s return remains one of the most compelling narratives in the UFC. While Michael Chandler continues to hold onto the hope of being McGregor’s opponent for the historic White House card, the ultimate decision rests with the UFC’s leadership. As Dana White indicated, official matchmaking discussions are set to intensify, and the coming days are expected to bring clarity to the highly anticipated event.
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