Massive Fan-Favorite Lightweight Competitor Speaks On Possible White House Scrap

Michael Chandler Believes McGregor Will Be White House Opponent, Pending Reliability

Ever since their stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31, Michael Chandler, as well as fight fans around the world, has been clamoring for a high-profile clash with McGregor. The two were previously booked to fight in 2024 in the main event UFC 303, however, following breaking his toe in training, the Irishman pulled out of the contest in what many were calling one of the most hyped fights of the 2020s. Subsequently, Michael Chandler was removed from the pay-per-view, and the headlining spot was then filled by then light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defending his strap against Jiří Procházka.

While Chandler may have lost out on a sizable payday in his scrap with Conor McGregor, he still hasn’t lost hope that the two of them will eventually cross paths inside the Octagon. Speaking with MMA Fighting, “Iron” stated he has a feeling that the long-awaited match will be hosted at the upcoming White House UFC event, which would serve as the rightful conclusion to their rivalry that was the main selling point of their season of TUF. 

“In my heart of hearts, I think I’m fighting Conor McGregor at the White House and that sure does make a ton of sense for a multitude of reasons,” Michael Chandler said. “He’s called me out on Twitter and said we have unfinished business and we do. We would be the only fighters not to fight after The Ultimate Fighter, who were in the same weight class. Conor and I, it makes sense.”

Will Conor McGregor’s Other Endeavors Preclude Him from Michael Chandler Fight?

Although many people, including Michael Chandler himself, want the aforementioned bout to finally materialize, the chaotic nature of McGregor’s personal life, along with him being a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, have kept “The Notorious” largely out of the cage. This has led Chandler to question the European’s reliability to actually make it to such a monumental and historic show for the UFC.  

“I never pulled out of a fight. I never missed weight. The most important thing about this White House card whether I am a shoe in for it or not, when you’re building a card of this magnitude, it’s not necessarily even about putting on the best fight. It’s about putting on the best fights that are the most reliable. Which fighters and which matchups, which marquee matchups are going to happen on the White House lawn that have almost have a virtual certainty of actually happening.”

Michael Chandler on His Own Reliability

Chandler then goes on to emphasize his own ability to fulfill fight obligations, noting earlier in the interview how he had never backed out of any tilts that he was slated to be a part of.  

“In this crazy sport, there are no guarantees, but I’m about as sure as a guarantee as you could be. If I can walk to the Octagon, if I can physically make it to the Octagon, I’m showing up. That Octagon door is closing, and I’m putting on a show for the fans.”

Michael Chandler Has Had Rough Go At Lightweight

Coming over to the UFC in 2021, Chandler instantly became a fan-favorite by starching Dan Hooker at UFC 257 in just over two minutes. The knockout granted the former Bellator icon a shot at the lightweight belt opposite Charles Oliveira at UFC 262, where the American sadly lost in the second round after being caught dead on the chin by a strong hook from the Brazilian.

In the years since that title clash, Michael Chandler has failed to make any significant progress up the immensely-stacked lightweight ladder. While a highlight-reel stoppage over Tony Ferguson would thrust the Kill Cliff product into viral fame, “Iron” has struggled to defeat the other top contenders in the division, going 1-4 in his last five bouts. He was last seen in action this past April at UFC 314, where he lost to surging English striker Paddy Pimblett by third round knockout.