Having waited several years for his fight against Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler has gone through all of the emotions.
When it was announced that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler would coach against each other on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, it was almost guaranteed that Chandler would be set for his biggest payday yet.
However, it seemed as though there would be no chance the fight would ever take place after ‘The Notorious’ withdrew from their scheduled fight at UFC 303 last year.
Despite that, the Irishman has been teasing a return to the Octagon ever since President Donald Trump announced that the UFC will host an event at the White House in 2026.
Chandler reveals confidence that he’ll fight McGregor on White House card
Instead of waiting even longer for the former UFC double champion to return, Chandler has since opted to take several fights in the Octagon, none of which have gone his way.
And when he was asked recently whether he thinks McGregor will return on the one-of-a-kind event, he stated that he wouldn’t bet on the Irishman returning.
Since then, McGregor has returned to the UFC testing pool and his return seems to be taking genuine shape, especially after Dana White admitted he has been in constant contact with him.
The recent updates regarding the Irishman’s return have ignited a confidence in Chandler who believes he and McGregor will finally settle their longstanding rivalry.
“Obviously that’s a fight that I want, first and foremost, I want the White House, ideally if it becomes Conor that would be awesome,” Chandler told MMAFighting.
“I believe as much flack as he takes, he’s more of a man of his word when it comes to this sport than people give him credit for… I’m the type of guy that trusts his gut and I believe it’s gonna be me and Conor if Conor is coming back and is actually fighting at the White House.
“I think we’re definitely a lot closer today than we ever have been… I do have some inside sources from people close to him who have said the exact same sentiment and obviously withdrawing from the presidential race in Ireland gets his focus back on training.
“I’ve always said if you’re a betting man, don’t put money on him necessarily coming back but now this changes things a lot, in my heart of hearts, I think I’m fighting Conor McGregor at the White House.”
A fitting end to the rivalry for Michael Chandler
There aren’t many other more patriotic fighters in the UFC than Chandler, and ever since the White House event was announced, he has made it abundantly clear that he will compete on it, no matter what.
And having waited so patiently for a fight against McGregor, this would seemingly be a fitting end to their saga, giving Chandler the biggest fight of his career on the lawn of the White House.