Dana White hopeful Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will take place in “the fall”

UFC CEO Dana White has provided an update on when the rumored Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight may take place.

Ever since McGregor and Chandler coached TUF against one another, many wondered when the two would fight. It’s one of the most anticipated fights in quite some time, and on New Year’s, McGregor announced he would return on June 29 against Chandler.

“Ladies and gentlemen, a Happy New Year to you all. I’d like to announce the return date for myself, the Notorious Conor McGregor, for the greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight Week on June 29. The opponent, Michael Chandler. And the weight, Mr. Chandler? 185 pounds (laughs),” McGregor said in his video.

However, since the video, there has been no official announcement and now Dana White says Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler may not happen until the fall.

Dana White says he is hoping they get McGregor/Chandler done for the Fall.#UFC pic.twitter.com/uqZ21uzgdL

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 7, 2024

“Eventually. Hopefully this year. There is no date. I’m hoping for the fall, (that we can) get it done in the fall,” Dana White said on The Pat McAfee show.

The news is no doubt disappointing as MMA fans are eagerly waiting for Conor McGregor to make his return to the Octagon. White also wouldn’t elaborate on why it won’t happen on June 29 as McGregor said, and Chandler seemingly agreed as well. But, for whatever reason, McGregor vs. Chandler appears likely to not happen until the fall.

If McGregor vs. Chandler doesn’t happen until the fall, perhaps the promotion circles the Madison Square Garden date in November, as the UFC always likes to stack that card.

Conor McGregor (22-6) has not fought since July of 2021 when he suffered a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in a fight he broke his leg in. Since then, he has been rehabbing his leg but finally appears ready to return to the Octagon. Before he broke his leg, McGregor was knocked out by Poirier in January of 2021, which was his first fight in a year after he scored a 40-second TKO over Donald Cerrone.

Michael Chandler (23-8) hasn’t fought since November of 2022 when he was submitted by Dustin Poirier. Before that, he scored a KO win over Tony Ferguson to return to the win column after a decision loss to Justin Gaethje and a TKO loss to Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt.