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It’s been nearly five years since Conor McGregor’s most recent fight in the UFC (against Dustin Poirier on July 10, 2021), and fans continue to speculate about when or if he will make a return to the octagon.
The former lightweight and featherweight champion is still a strong name in combat sports, and his presence alone would bring a lot of eyes to the company. However, nobody knows what’s going through his mind regarding a potential return.
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UFC star Michael Chandler, who was scheduled to fight McGregor in 2024, is trying to push for that fight in a year that will have Paramount+ broadcast every UFC fight live, including numbered events, from 2026 through 2033.
Having McGregor back in the octagon would be fitting for one of these events. During a guest appearance on the CBS / Paramount+ ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’ show on Wednesday, Chandler teased a fight with the Irish fighter at the White House at some point this year.
“I will say it’s gonna be a big year,” Chandler told Bert Kreischer. “Number one, like you said, UFC is now on Paramount+, the entire year, for a multitude of years. And also, there’s a rumor going around, we can’t confirm nor deny it, but it does sound like I might be handing Conor McGregor a good ol’ fashioned passionate red white and blue butt whooping on the South Lawn of the White House sometime this summer.”
“That’s the plan, let’s go!”
Chandler is on a three-fight losing streak, including a 2022 submission loss to Dustin Poirier, a 2024 UD loss to Charles Oliveira and a 2025 KO/TKO loss to up-and-coming prospect Paddy Pimblett. McGregor lost his two most recent bouts against the same opponent, Dustin Poirier.
They were set to clash at UFC 303 in 2024, but McGregor picked up an injury in training camp. That situation led Chandler to fight Oliveira instead. The possibility of hosting a UFC event at the White House has grown in recent times, but nothing has materialized yet.
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