Conor McGregor Reacts to White House UFC Card Omission, Confirms Comeback Plans
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has publicly responded after his anticipated fight was notably absent from the historic Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled to take place at the White House. UFC CEO Dana White unveiled the stacked lineup on Saturday night, but the long-rumored bout between McGregor and Michael Chandler was missing from the announcement.
McGregor's Surprise Omission from Historic Event
The Irish superstar had previously been strongly linked to a headline bout at the unique event, which is reportedly planned for June 14 on the front lawn of the White House. Despite this surprising omission, McGregor showed enthusiastic support for the announced fights. He shared the official fight poster on his social media platforms, writing "love it!" on Instagram and later posting that it looked like a "great card" on X.
The historic White House event will feature Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje, while Alex Pereira moves up in weight class to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. This marks the first time the UFC has organized an event at such a prestigious governmental location.
McGregor Confirms Comeback Preparation and Weight Class Decision
Despite not being included on the White House card, Conor McGregor confirmed that he remains actively preparing for his return to the octagon. The former champion explained that he initially believed the White House event would mark his highly anticipated comeback, with a fight against Michael Chandler being strongly discussed behind the scenes.
Speaking on Smash Cast, McGregor revealed that from his understanding, the original plan had been for him to fight at the White House. According to the fighter, the idea received strong backing from the administration, and the matchup with Chandler seemed perfect for the historic occasion. He explained that the storyline was naturally compelling because Chandler is renowned for his exciting, aggressive fighting style, and their clash would have produced spectacular fireworks inside the cage.
McGregor added that plans later appeared to shift. He was informed that the promotion might instead place him on the card during International Fight Week, which typically occurs in early July. The fighter stated he had no issue with this alternative arrangement and remained open to the matchup, even if Chandler was not ultimately part of the revised plan.
McGregor's Perspective on Chandler and Future Opponents
McGregor admitted feeling slightly awkward about the situation because Michael Chandler has waited a considerable time for this fight to materialize. He emphasized that he genuinely believes it would have been an entertaining contest for fight fans worldwide. The Irish star stressed that his primary focus is simply returning to competitive action after an extended absence from the octagon.
The former champion explained that he does not want to be overly selective with opponents because he is genuinely eager to compete again following his lengthy recovery period. McGregor also confirmed that his comeback will take place in the welterweight division at 170 pounds, noting that he has grown physically larger compared to earlier stages of his career, making this weight class more suitable for his current physique.
While the exact timing and opponent for McGregor's return remain uncertain, his public comments indicate ongoing negotiations and a strong desire to resume his fighting career in the coming months. The UFC continues to develop its historic White House event while managing expectations for one of its most popular stars' long-awaited comeback.
