Conor McGregor has confirmed that Michael Chandler will be his opponent at the UFC’s first-ever White House event in 2026, which is being organized as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.
The matchup between McGregor and Chandler has been in discussion for years. They first crossed paths in 2023 as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter and were later scheduled to meet at UFC 303 in June 2024. That fight was cancelled when McGregor suffered a toe injury during training camp.
Chandler has consistently pushed for the bout to be rebooked, and McGregor has now stated that the White House card will be the stage for their long-anticipated clash. UFC President Dana White confirmed that the event is moving forward but said official fight announcements are not expected until February 2026, when the card will begin to be finalized.
McGregor has been out of competition since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. Earlier this year, he re-entered the UFC’s testing pool, a requirement for his eligibility to return. Chandler, who signed with the UFC in 2020 after a decorated run in Bellator, has remained active and continues to call for the matchup.
The White House event is scheduled for June 2026. Plans include staging the fights on the South Lawn, with weigh-ins potentially held at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a fireworks display. Attendance inside the White House grounds is expected to be capped at fewer than 5,000 people, with additional viewing areas arranged outside.
If confirmed, McGregor vs. Chandler would headline a card that marks the first professional mixed martial arts event ever staged at the White House.
