Michael Chandler remains “cautiously optimistic” about his Conor McGregor fight at UFC White House.
That’s according to a recent conversation the former Bellator lightweight champion had with Chris Van
Vliet. McGregor is currently serving a disciplinary suspension following a whereabouts violation with Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) back in late 2024 but is expected to be eligible to compete by late March.
“Notorious” has not seen action since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in summer 2021.
If and when McGregor does make his Octagon return, the 39 year-old Chandler expects to once again open as the betting favorite over his former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 31 coach, despite losing three straight and five of his last six. “Iron” holds just two victories under the UFC banner since joining the promotion in early 2021.
“Fighting Conor is a great fight, I love that fight,” Chandler said. “Favorite is interesting, because you never know with the betting odds, [but] I would imagine I would be. 155, 170, 185, I don’t really care. I can make 155. I can not cut weight and be at 185, and cut a little bit of weight and be at 170. I don’t care, I’m an athlete. I’m excited to get into a training camp, put together a game plan, and start really training with a fight date in mind, an opponent in mind, his different movements and idiosyncrasies and habits and tendencies.”
Hopefully he doesn’t lose himself this time.
UFC will begin building its White House lineup in February with a tentative show date of June 14, 2026. The festivities will include fireworks and official weigh ins in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Other fantasy matchups being discussed include Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones and Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira 2, among others.
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