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Dana White’s Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler UFC White House Plans Could Be Derailed by Unforeseen Circumstances

Originally posted on EssentiallySports
By Abhishek Kumar Das | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 11:17 PM ET

As the UFC prepares for its historic White House event, fans are ecstatic about a stacked fight card, but Chael Sonnen isn’t sharing the hype. With his extensive knowledge of MMA and the country, ‘The American Gangster’ has raised a serious concern that most fans haven’t even considered, an unpredictable factor that could upend Dana White’s plans for the mega event featuring none other than Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. But what is it?

Chael Sonnen’s concern is not about the fighters themselves, but rather the environment in which they will compete. Even little, unforeseeable events on the White House South Lawn can have a significant impact. One prime example of it is the weather, as in July, Washington, D.C., is infamous for being completely unpredictable.

“In July, the chance of rain in Washington, DC, is relatively high, as it is one of the city’s wetter months. While rain is frequent, it often comes in the form of scattered afternoon or evening thunderstorms rather than an all-day downpour,” Sonnen explained on his YouTube channel. An unexpected shower may bring a variable that fighters are rarely exposed to, putting their adaptation to the test in ways that a typical UFC night would not.

Even such minor environmental factors, Chael Sonnen argues, can affect athletes and our main eventers McGregor and Chandler in subtle but meaningful ways. “Now, I want you to understand that about the mat, because that kind of a surface, the UFC’s kind of a surface, absorbs moisture… Some of them believed it gave them a little bit of traction,” he said.

Through this, ‘The American Gangster’ was referring to corners pouring water or rubbing feet on the mat, practices that are mainly banned now, but reveal how fighters react to slippery conditions. He also mentioned that logos made of different materials respond differently when wet, further complicating footing.

The problem is not just physical. Fighters who have spent months training indoors may be thrown off by the unexpected uncertainty of the weather, affecting their mental and physical approach to the bout. This later may lead to many other fighters pulling out of the event, making the night nothing less than a disaster for Dana White, who is all hyped up for the night.

“There are guys that would not make that walk if a condition that they had not previously considered were to happen, such as rain, such as a thunderstorm.” So, it surely seems like Chael Sonnen is really skeptical about the much-awaited event. But that does not mean that the UFC veteran is completely against it either, as he recently pitched an amazing main event for the White House card that does not include ‘The Notorious.’

Chael Sonnen pitches an epic main event for Dana White’s mega event

Even if Chael Sonnen warns about unforeseen elements that could destabilize the White House card, he does not disregard the spectacle itself. He sees a major event that could eclipse even the most anticipated Conor McGregor or Jon Jones fights. While fans speculate on which superstar will headline, ‘The American Gangster’ looks beyond the obvious names to find a contest that could define the historic night.

Sonnen believes Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev could steal the spotlight. “You keep telling me what a huge fight Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev is. Does Ilia vs. Islam, champ vs. champ, trump Conor McGregor vs. anybody?” he said on his YouTube channel, suggesting that this fight may bring unrivaled intensity and skill.

At the same time, the UFC legend does not rule out McGregor. He also teased that the Irishman may meet a renowned fighter who isn’t currently in the UFC, Tony Ferguson. A bold idea that shows Sonnen’s ability to think beyond the obvious. Despite the uncertainties, Sonnen’s vision for the card provides fans with enough to be excited about, promising a historic night of MMA excitement.

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

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