Conor McGregor Shrugs Off Dana White’s Dismissal of Michael Chandler Fight

Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a gruesome leg injury in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That loss marked McGregor’s second straight defeat to Poirier and extended his absence from competition to nearly four years.

Despite the inactivity, McGregor’s return has remained one of the most anticipated storylines in MMA. For years, the assumed opponent was Michael Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC), especially after the two served as opposing coaches on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. But what once seemed inevitable has slowly unraveled.

White Moves On

Dana White has made it clear he’s no longer interested in booking McGregor vs. Chandler, effectively ending a saga that featured multiple false starts, injuries, delays, and public negotiations that never reached the Octagon.

McGregor’s response suggests he’s unfazed by the UFC’s shifting plans or at least wants to project that image.

The Irish star’s last victory came at UFC 246 in January 2020, when he stopped Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds. Since then, questions about McGregor’s form, motivation, and future weight class have only intensified.

Chandler Left Waiting

For Chandler, the news is more sobering. The former Bellator champion waited nearly two years in hopes of finally securing the McGregor payday, repeatedly voicing his willingness to fight and his frustration with the delays.

Now, with White openly dismissing the matchup and McGregor appearing unconcerned, Chandler may have to move forward without the bout that once defined his UFC trajectory.