Michael Chandler Reacts To Dana White Shutting Down Conor McGregor Match-Up At UFC White House

Michael Chandler remains fully focused on fighting Conor McGregor at UFC White House, despite Dana White shutting down the match-up.

The American MMA star isn’t encouraged by White’s recent comments, but isn’t giving up hope of facing the Irishman at the White House on June 14.

Michael Chandler Remains Focused On Conor McGregor Clash At UFC White House

Michael Chandler has admitted that fighting Conor McGregor at UFC White House remains his full focus.

McGregor vs Chandler has been rumoured for months for the monumental UFC card on the South Lawn on June 14, with the Irishman expected to make his long-awaited return to the octagon for the first time in almost five years.

However, UFC President Dana White revealed in an interview earlier this week that a fight between McGregor and Chandler most definitely won’t be happening at UFC White House and that the fight is several years past its sell-by date.

"I don't have a Plan B until Plan A is 100% exhausted. That's kind of where we're at right now.

I'm formulating my blocks and my training and my diet and all that stuff leading up to June right now. That's the plan… fighting Conor at the White House." – @MikeChandlerMMA pic.twitter.com/e15AVuuEto

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 21, 2026

In the aftermath of this news, McGregor took to social media insisting he is willing to fight anyone after the Chandler fight was ruled-out by White. However, the American isn’t giving up hope yet and remains fully focused on facing the former two-division simultaneous UFC champion at the White House this summer.

The #12 ranked UFC lightweight contender is still preparing diligently for a fight with McGregor at UFC White House, and is moving forward with this plan until he knows for definite the fight won’t happen:

“I don’t have a Plan B until Plan A is 100% exhausted. That’s kind of where we’re at right now,” said Chandler on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“I’m formulating my blocks and my training and my diet and all that stuff leading up to June right now. That’s the plan… fighting Conor at the White House,” concluded Chandler.

Michael Chandler isn't losing hope 😤

He's still planning to fight McGregor at the White House – despite Dana White's recent statements. #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/3jEv5iV7AQ

— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) January 21, 2026

Dana White’s Comments ‘Not Encouraging’, But Chandler Remains Hopeful

UFC President Dana White made it abundantly clear that he has no desire to stage Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler at UFC White House whatsoever.

White also shut down the McGregor vs Jorge Masvidal rumours too, stating that fight was ‘goofy s***’. However, what the UFC President says from day to day can change quite a lot, as it has done numerous times in the past.

For that reason, Chandler isn’t giving up hope and remains on track with his plan to fight ‘Notorious’ at UFC White House come June 14.

Michael Chandler reacts to Dana White dismissing the McGregor x Chandler matchup:

“Obviously, it’s not encouraging. It’s not great to hear. I’ve also heard many things that were discouraging at the time but turned out to be untrue or just flat-out false.

I mean, you follow the… pic.twitter.com/Vt2cC1Hydl

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 21, 2026

The American MMA fighter admits he wasn’t exactly overjoyed upon hearing White’s comments about his possible fight with McGregor, but equally isn’t getting too worked up by it:

“Obviously, it’s not encouraging. It’s not great to hear. I’ve also heard many things that were discouraging at the time but turned out to be untrue or just flat-out false.

I mean, you follow the sport. Whether that’s what [Dana White] is feeling that day or what’s actually going to happen, I don’t know. All I know is you can control the controllables in life,” concluded Chandler.

It remains to be seen exactly what happens over the next few weeks and who exactly McGregor will face at UFC White House, if indeed he does make his highly-anticipated return for the first time in almost five years.