Michael Chandler appears closer than ever to securing the Conor McGregor fight \u2013 so he thinks.<\/p>\n
Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) has never given up hope that he’ll be the one to welcome McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) back to the octagon after the pair filmed Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2023. They were booked at UFC 303 in June 2024, but McGregor withdrew after breaking his pinky toe.<\/p>\n
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No talks of an official rebooking happened since, but when plans of a UFC White House event in June were announced, McGregor threw his name in the hat. He mentioned Chandler as his likely opponent, and has recently engaged on a spiritual journey<\/a> in attempt of making a comeback.<\/p>\n Chandler is buying all of McGregor’s talk.<\/p>\n “I will say it’s going to be a big year,” Chandler told CBS (h\/t Championship Rounds<\/a>). “No. 1, the UFC is now on Paramount+ for the next multitude of years, and also, there’s a rumor going around, we can’t confirm nor deny, but it does sound like I might be handing Conor McGregor a good old fashioned, passionate, red, white, and blue butt whooping on the south lawn of the White House some time this summer. That’s the plan.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n McGregor, 37, hasn’t fought since breaking leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier<\/a> in July 2021. Meanwhile, Chandler dropped his third-straight fight when he was finished by Paddy Pimblett<\/a> at UFC 314 in April.<\/p>\n