McGregor answers doubts after White shuts down White House fight
A comeback that never quite arrives
Conor McGregor has not competed in mixed martial arts since July 2021, when his rivalry with Dustin Poirier ended in consecutive defeats. Despite the long absence, his name continues to surface whenever discussions turn to major UFC events or blockbuster matchups.
One of the most persistent ideas has been a long discussed fight against Michael Chandler. According to GiveMeSport, the pairing was even linked to a speculative UFC event in Washington D.C., connected to US President Donald Trump’s plans to mark his 80th birthday and the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations in early July 2026.
White distances the UFC from the idea
That speculation cooled sharply this week. According to an interview with Dana White published by Complex, the UFC president described McGregor versus Chandler as “not realistic” for such an event, adding that the matchup would have made more sense several years ago.
White also explained that the promotion’s immediate focus is elsewhere. He said the UFC is prioritising UFC 324 and UFC 325, its first numbered events under a new broadcast partnership with Paramount+, before giving serious thought to any Washington based card.
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McGregor responds without hesitation
McGregor did not let the comments linger unanswered. Within hours of the interview’s release, he posted a brief response online, writing, “Pick who ya want!”
He followed that message with another statement, saying, “The Mac sweats nothin' and nobody. I'm tasty shots.”
While the remarks offered no concrete timeline for a return, they signalled that McGregor remains publicly defiant as questions persist about whether he can still headline the sport’s biggest stages.
Other names enter the conversation
The uncertainty surrounding McGregor has widened the discussion about what a White House linked UFC card might actually look like. According to Complex, Alex Pereira has emerged as a potential opponent for Jon Jones, a matchup both fighters have expressed interest in across weight classes.
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White, however, voiced concerns about relying on Jones for an event of that visibility. While calling the fight itself “fine,” he questioned whether Jones could be counted on, saying, “Can I count on Jon Jones? You can't have Jones doing something bad, or pulling out of The White House fight.”
A card still searching for an identity
With those reservations in mind, several other matchups have been floated as theoretical alternatives. These include Ilia Topuria facing the winner of Justin Gaethje versus Paddy Pimblett, Tom Aspinall against Ciryl Gane, or Islam Makhachev taking on Shavkat Rakhmonov.
For now, the idea of a UFC event tied to the White House remains more concept than concrete plan. McGregor’s swift reaction may keep his name in the headlines, but the broader picture suggests the promotion itself is still weighing how much risk it is willing to take on such a symbolic stage.
Sources: GiveMeSport, Complex
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