UFC star Michael Chandler has reiterated his desire to battle Conor McGregor – potentially at the UFC White House event next summer.
We all know the fight that Michael Chandler wants, because it’s the one he’s been calling for over the course of the last few years. It’s also the one that seems to make sense for both men, especially given that it was booked to happen not so long ago before McGregor eventually pulled out. Alas, given what he’s been doing outside of the cage, it doesn’t seem overly likely that it’s going to take place right now.
Next year, though, could be when it finally comes to fruition, given Conor’s interest in fighting at the White House. Michael Chandler, meanwhile, has suffered a string of losses as of late – and yet he’s still seen by many as an interesting contender in the lightweight division.
In a recent interview, Michael Chandler didn’t hold back when discussing the possibility of the fight still happening.
Michael Chandler reiterates desire to fight Conor McGregor
“Yeah, could be the president of Ireland, which would be very, very ironic.”
“Everybody knows that’s the fight that I want. I have said publicly that’s the fight that I want, but I’m also the guy who’s not going to wait for that fight. As you can see by me fighting Charles and then Paddy- two fights in five months. Once [Conor] got injured, once he pulled out of the fight, we had to move on. I could have just sat on the sidelines, but I was ready to get back in there and prove to the fans who I am, how I operate, and I want to put on fun, exciting performances.”
UFC star Conor McGregor has reiterated that he is interested in the idea of returning to mixed martial arts for next year’s UFC White House card.
One thing we all know to be true is that Conor McGregor is a pretty controversial figure. Every week there seems to be a new claim about something that he’s done or something he’s said, and the Irishman just seems to roll with the punches. Alas, if he keeps going down this road, it doesn’t feel like it’s going to end particularly well for him.
One thing we haven’t seen is Conor McGregor actually competing in the cage. It’s been four years since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier and while he’s been close to a comeback since then, it’s never quite come to fruition. At this point, it’s hard to imagine it happening, especially given the kind of lifestyle that he leads.
Alas, in a short interview recently with The Schmo, Conor McGregor made it known that he wants to fight on the UFC White House card that was announced by Donald Trump and later confirmed by Dana White.
Conor McGregor looks ahead to UFC White House
Q: “The White House. Dana White said, ‘You and Jon Jones, that’s the real deal.’
A: “I’m going home. I’m going to get the head down. I’m going to rest. They’re testing me. I’m in the pool. I says, ‘Go tell him, man. I thought that’s what the pools are for — jumping in and out of.’ But I’m back in the pool. So, get ready and stay ready, ’cause damage will be done.”
Don’t try to outshine Conor McGregor — whether you believe him or not.
Just as news drops of Jon Jones explaining his plans to unretire and confirming his intentions to compete at the UFC’s White House card next year, McGregor makes his own claim of the same nature.
Talking to The Schmo, McGregor confirmed his intentions to return for the major UFC card in July 2026.
🚨”I’m Back in The Pool. So get ready and stay ready. Damage will be Done.” @TheNotoriousMMA
“They’re testing me. I’m in the pool,” McGregor told The Schmo. “That’s what pools are for — jumping in and out. But I’m back in the pool. So get ready and stay ready, because damage will be done.”
Conor McGregor Confirms Desire To Be On UFC Card At The White House
Following an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump, UFC officials, including UFC CEO and President Dana White have confirmed plans for a UFC card on the White House grounds during the U.S. Semiquincentennial next July 4.
McGregor has been out of action since his UFC 264 loss to Dustin Poirier. Plans were in motion for McGregor to return following his stint as a coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023, taking on rival coach Michael Chandler. After a drawn-out negotiation, however, McGregor vs. Chandler was scheduled for UFC 303 — only to be canceled a few weeks before the event.
While a toe injury is the given reason for the fight falling through, some reports have claimed contract issues between McGregor and the promotion. McGregor has two fights remaining on his current deal and wants to fight the contract out; meanwhile, the UFC wants to lock McGregor up under another contract.
McGregor has been focused on his role as a part-owner of the BKFC, recently promoting its upcoming $25 million tournament and new signings, as well as getting into a confrontation with Mike Perry.
BKFC President David Feldman, during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, says McGregor told him of his intentions to fight on the White House card and then have one last fight with the UFC after. He teased that after completing his UFC contract, McGregor might potentially fight in BKFC.
“He’s got two fights left on his contract,” Feldman said. “He told me in person. He whispered in my ear. He said, ‘I’m in the testing pool.’ He said, ‘I’m getting ready to make my comeback. I’m going to fight on that big card, and then I’m going to have another fight, and then we can talk.”
An MMA analyst on YouTube has given their thoughts on the recent ‘meatgate’ saga surrounding former UFC star Conor McGregor.
As we know, Conor McGregor tends to be a pretty controversial figure within the world of mixed martial arts. He says and does things that are a bit out of the ordinary – and that’s us putting it lightly. He has been involved in numerous scandals and at this point, his reputation is pretty much in tatters.
As it turns out, there was still a new low for him to drop to after Conor McGregor was accused of sending unsolicited pictures to Azealia Banks. In the following video, ITP MMA Live has provided a breakdown of how this whole thing has played out up to this point.
MMA analyst questions Conor McGregor
“Bro, you have a family and you’re out here sending pictures of your Conor Jr. to other celebrities… Like, a big part of me wants to sympathize with [his fiancée], but at the same time, I can’t help but think she has to know by now that Conor gets up to this stuff on a pretty regular basis and she just accepts it.”
“I feel like this was the trail of bad decisions made that led Conor to doing this. As we know, on Thursday, Conor did that BKFC press conference where he was very clearly geeked out… He keeps the party going throughout the weekend… then just sent off this picture without thinking much about it. I am 1,000% sure that this photo was brought to us in part by Coke.”
“Could she seriously just be in this much denial? Or does she just put up with all of this to maintain her current lifestyle? I want to believe it’s the latter, but I find it a bit depressing that I don’t feel confident one way or the other.”
Conor McGregor is often credited with setting trends in the MMA world, though a recent move by a female UFC veteran likely wasn’t the kind of influence anyone expected.
By now, it’s no secret that McGregor has a knack for landing himself in controversy, and his 36th birthday was no exception. Just as headlines picked up steam over footage of “The Notorious” kissing an unidentified woman on a Florida beach, things took a sharper turn.
American rapper Azealia Banks took to X to blast McGregor, sharing a series of explicit images he allegedly sent her in direct messages. She followed up with a scathing tirade aimed at the former two-division UFC champion’s ambitions to run for president of Ireland.
UFC strawweight veteran Angela Hill recently put a comedic twist on Conor McGregor’s NSFW controversy involving Azealia Banks. Turning to X, “Overkill” shared a tongue-in-cheek screenshot of a direct message she sent to UFC broadcaster Laura Sanko — featuring an image of herself holding a kettlebell between her legs, accompanied by a message that read, “Lifting weights.” The post was a playful parody of the now-viral images Banks claimed McGregor sent her.
Fans React to Angela Hill’s Hilarious Take on Conor McGregor’s Viral DM Scandal
Angela Hill’s playful parody of the explicit exchange between Azealia Banks and Conor McGregor quickly drew a wave of fan reactions, with many applauding “Overkill” for her clever humor and spot-on execution.
Hill is set to face Iasmin Lucindo in a strawweight bout at UFC Vegas 109, scheduled for Aug. 9 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Overkill” was last seen in action this past February, where she edged out Ketlen Souza via split decision to snap her losing skid and return to the win column. She currently holds a 13–14 record in the UFC.
The appeal proceedings for Conor McGregor, the former mixed martial arts fighter, continue to draw attention as new developments unfold in the Irish courts. The case centers on McGregor’s appeal against a 2024 High Court decision that found him civilly liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. The original verdict required McGregor to pay over €248,000 (approximately £206,000) in damages to Ms. Hand, as well as a significant portion of her legal costs.
Most Recent Updates in Conor McGregor’s Trial
The most recent hearings, held at the start of July 2025, were marked by Conor McGregor’s legal team withdrawing a bid to introduce new evidence. This evidence was to come from Samantha O’Reilly and Steven Cummins, former neighbors of Ms. Hand, who claimed to have witnessed a confrontation between Ms. Hand and her ex-partner around the time of the alleged assault. Conor McGregor’s team argued that this testimony could suggest that bruising on Ms. Hand’s body may have been caused by her ex-partner rather than Conor McGregor.
The civil case stems from an incident in December 2018, when Ms. Hand alleged that McGregor assaulted her in a Dublin hotel. McGregor has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that any encounter was consensual. The 2024 High Court jury found in favor of Ms. Hand after a three-week trial, awarding her damages and legal costs.
However, after further legal review and a new application involving expert testimony, Conor McGregor’s counsel decided to retract the request to present this evidence. The decision was announced abruptly in court, prompting visible frustration from Ms. Hand’s legal team, who argued that the late withdrawal was inappropriate and that their client had been subjected to additional stress as a result. The court permitted the withdrawal but noted dissatisfaction with the timing and handling of the matter.
Image: @WhiteHouse/X
Following the withdrawal of the proposed evidence, Ms. Hand’s lawyer requested that documents related to the retracted testimony be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This request was based on concerns about possible perjury, as Ms. Hand had described the neighbors’ statements as false. The Court of Appeal agreed to refer the matter to prosecutors for further examination. McGregor’s representatives have stated that he himself is not the subject of a criminal referral at this time.
(Conor McGregor on Instagram)
With the withdrawal of the new evidence, McGregor’s appeal now rests on several remaining legal arguments. His team contends that the original trial judge erred in allowing the jury to consider whether McGregor was liable for assault, rather than specifically for sexual assault. They also argue that the judge wrongly permitted extensive questioning about McGregor’s “no comment” responses during police interviews, which his lawyers claim prejudiced the jury. The appeal proceedings have focused on these technical aspects of the trial process.
The hearings concluded with the Court of Appeal stating that a full decision will be delivered at a later date. McGregor has not attended the appeal hearings in person. The court’s final ruling will address the legal arguments advanced by McGregor’s team and the response from Ms. Hand’s lawyers, who have urged the court to uphold the original verdict and damages award. Pending the outcome of the appeal, the order requiring McGregor to pay the full amount of Ms. Hand’s legal fees has been suspended. The case remains under close scrutiny, with the possibility of further legal action if the DPP finds grounds for pursuing perjury charges related to the withdrawn evidence.
It appears to be one scandal after another in short time for Conor McGregor.
In a story first broken by The Sun on Sunday, June 13, photos have come out of McGregor spending time and showing love to a woman on the Florida beach — a woman that is not his fiancée, Dee Devlin.
Photos have been released of McGregor with the unknown dark-haired woman, laughing and cuddling with her, and at one point touching her leg. McGregor had reportedly been on a 15-minute jet ski ride before giving the woman public displays of affection.
Image: BackGrid
McGregor also reportedly relished in the attention of other female beach-goers.
Conor McGregor Seen Kissing Woman, Not Fiancée Dee Devlin, On Beach
Devlin, McGregor’s fiancée since 2020, with whom he has four children, was reportedly not present on the beach.
Devlin has been by McGregor’s side since before his rise in the world of MMA — even as McGregor has faced numerous sexual assault complaints. This includes McGregor being found guilty by a jury last November of the December 2018 sexual assault of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room.
People who were scrolling through social media on the morning of Monday, July 14, were in for a rude awakening, (indirectly) courtesy of Conor McGregor.
Rapper and songwriter Azealia Banks took to social media to publicly post revealing pictures of the former two-division UFC champion. Banks claimed McGregor sent her unsolicited nude pictures, and she took to social media to trash the Irish fighter.
“Like, how are you really going to sexually harrass me with the potato farmer **** then threaten me not to tell?” Banks posted in a thread of posts on X (fka Twitter). Honey, ain’t you trying to be the president of Ireland…?”
Another post in the series shows McGregor seemingly responding to Banks’ posts in a private message, claiming “Don’t be a rat cos [sic] all rats get caught.”
Azealia Banks Posts Unsolicited Nude Pictures From Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor had recently returned to the headlines in the MMA world, teasing a return to the sport following U.S. President Donald Trump and UFC CEO and President Dana White revealing plans for a UFC pay-per-view card at the White House.
Of course, this is also far from Conor McGregor ‘s first controversy outside of the cage. In November, an Irish jury deemed McGregor was guilty of sexually assaulting a woman, Nikita Hand, in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. McGregor has also been accused of sexual assault and indecent exposure on the French island of Corsica during 2020, though the investigation did not lead to anything due to insufficient evidence.
McGregor has also been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center in Miami during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals. This is the same day in which McGregor was accused of going off script and injuring an individual playing the Miami Heat’s mascot in a skit.
McGregor has not fought since his UFC 264 loss to Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight. He was seen at BKFC’s recent event, however, getting into a staredown with Mike Perry.
Conor McGregor came face to face with Mike Perry at a BKFC event yesterday as rumors continue to swirl regarding a possible future fight between the two men.
As we know, Conor McGregor plays a pretty big role in the operation over at BKFC – or, at least, that’s how it seems. He also isn’t a big fan of Mike Perry, to the point where he even seemed to ‘fire’ him once upon a time. Now, though, ‘Platinum’ is back in BKFC, and it would appear as if they’re teasing the idea of these rivals actually battling it out in the ring.
Conor McGregor hasn’t been in active competition since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier four years ago, and it’s not quite clear as to if he’ll ever compete again. If he does, though, this would seem to indicate that Mike Perry is definitely a potential foe for him.
Conor McGregor confronts Mike Perry at the BKFC presser 😭
"You're welcome back because I welcomed you back… You'll dance for me boy."
“You’re welcome back because I welcomed you back,” McGregor said, referencing when he claimed Perry was fired from BKFC after losing to Paul. “Oct. 11 is your date, and you’ll dance for me, boy. You’ll dance for the owner, and then we can talk.”
“Your date is Oct. 11, Michael Perry, the return of ‘Platinum’, and we’ve got [one] hell of an announcement for an opponent for you,” McGregor teased. “One of the baddest men to ever grace the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but when it comes to bare-knuckle, he’s going to throw down with you in front of me for my viewing pleasure, and then I’ll decide if you’re worthy.”
When the idea of a UFC event at the White House was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, and later confirmed by UFC officials to media, fighters scrambled to get their name into the hat of potentially competing at such an event.
One of those fighters was Jon Jones, who two weeks earlier had just announced his retirement from the sport of MMA, relinquishing the UFC heavyweight title in the process. This brought about an unclimactic ending to the long standoff of negotiations between he and then-interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who was promoted to undisputed champion immediately as Jones’ retirement was announced by UFC CEO and President Dana White.
Now, during his recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, White confirmed that despite the retirement announcement, Jones is already back.
“He jumped back in the pool,” White confirmed.
Dana White Says Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Dream’ White House Main Event, Suggests Jones And Conor McGregor Could Both Fight On Card
Jones vs. Aspinall is one of the fresher matchups available for heavyweight — a UFC division most fans and pundits have widely agreed is one of the weakest, if not the weakest, in the promotion. And while Aspinall vs. Gane is also a fresh matchup, most of the other ranked contenders Aspinall has taken out in the first round in previous outings.
It seems White agrees that Jones vs. Aspinall is still a possibility — even going as far as to say he could see it being a main event for the White House event.
“My dream main event right now [for the White House card], would be Aspinall vs. Jones,” White said.
Four former UFC fighters, including a trio of former UFC title challengers, are going from the MMA world to the world of bare-knuckle fighting.
During the BKFC Champions Summit press conference with Conor McGregor, held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas ahead of BKFC 48, McGregor announced the additions of Yoel Romero, Thiago Santos, Derek Brunson, and Aspen Ladd to the BKFC roster.
Romero and Santos were the particular focuses of the announcement — highlighting their striking power and their veteran statuses.
BKFC Announces Four Signings, Including Yoel Romero And Thiago Santos
Romero and Santos, in fact, faced off in MMA just a year-and-a-half ago. The two faced off during the PFL vs. Bellator broadcast, with Romero, who was representing Bellator, winning via a clear unanimous decision.
Romero has not fought in MMA since the win, while Santos had one more fight, a short-notice loss to eventual 2024 PFL heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov during the regular season.
Romero — a freestyle wrestling silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics and a former freestyle wrestling World and Pan-American champion — went 16-7 in professional MMA, including a 9-4 UFC record. Romero scored victories over the likes of Lyoto Machida, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and Chris Weidman, but was unsuccessful in middleweight title challenges of Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya.
Romero then had a five-fight stint in Bellator, going 3-2 — which included the win over Santos and an unsuccessful title shot against then-Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov.
Santos fought in the UFC for about a decade, but his biggest stretch came when he jumped from middleweight to light heavyweight. Santos would finish Eryk Anders, Jimi Manuwa, and Jan Blachowicz, receiving a title shot against then-champ Jon Jones at UFC 239. Santos would lose in a controversial decision. That would be the start of a downward stretch Santos never recovered from, losing all but one of his fights since the Jones loss.
After his tenure with the UFC, Santos fought in the PFL, debuting with a loss to Rob Wilkinson — a bout that would be overturned to a no contest.
Brunson came into the UFC as Strikeforce was being merged with the promotion and slowly being folded. Brunson earned victories over the likes of Lorenz Larkin, Uriah Hall, Lyoto Machida, and Kevin Holland, as well as losses to Souza, Whittaker, Adesanya, Anderson Silva, Jared Cannonier, and Dricus Du Plessis. Brunson fought in MMA once after his UFC days — a win over Ray Cooper III at the 2023 PFL World Championships.
Ladd debuted in Invicta in 2015 and went unbeaten in five fights before joining the UFC two years later. Ladd won her first three UFC bouts before a loss to Germaine de Randamie. Ladd would struggle with consistent success — and had a near-two-year period of inactivity at one point — before parting ways with the UFC after a 2022 loss to Raquel Pennington.
Ladd debuted in PFL in November of that year with a win over former Bellator champion Julia Budd. She then competed in the 2023 women’s featherweight season, losing to Olena Kolesnyk but defeating Karolina Sobek. Ladd missed the playoffs but fought in a showcase bout later that year, losing to current UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.
Ladd’s last MMA fight came at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris in May 2024, defeating Ekaterina Shakalova.
The biggest talking point in the MMA world at the moment is not one that involves a particular fighter, but one that involves the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and the potential of something historic that 30 years ago would have been a crazy pipedream.
The U.S.’ Fourth of July celebrations this year marked the beginning of a year-long celebratory series of events that will lead to the country’s Semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the U.S. declaring its independence from Great Britain.
During one of this year’s U.S. Independence Day events, Trump hyped up a vision of what he sees for next year’s grand celebration on July 4, 2026 (a Saturday). And Trump mentioned a UFC “fight” occuring on the lawn of the White House.
Turns out, this isn’t just hearsay, as the UFC would confirm to reporters that while nothing is set in stone, plans are indeed in motion for a July 4, 2026 card to be held in the nation’s capital.
Hours later, the likes of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones each posted to social media about interest in fighting on the card. This comes when McGregor hasn’t fought in the Octagon since 2021 and Jones announced a comeback after retiring and relinquishing the UFC heavyweight championship just two weeks earlier.
With MMA insider and personality Ariel Helwani and his crew — Petersy Carroll, Conner Burks, and Eric Jackman — back in the studio earlier this week, the group discussed what such an event could mean, if such an event is possible, and why fighters are scrambling to be a part of the card.
Is A UFC Card At The White House A Realistic Possibility? Who Would Be Part Of It?
Helwani and the others weren’t in complete agreement on if the card actually happens; however, they were in agreement about the significance of such a card — and perhaps why fighters want in on this. A UFC event on White House grounds would mark one of, if not the, most visible and mainstream moments for the sport of MMA in its history.
“It’d be the biggest spot MMA has ever been in, wouldn’t it?” said Petesy Carroll. “Could you imagine what that would look like in terms of a spectacle? Like we talked about the spectacle of the Sphere and stuff. Like, could you imagine that? The White House in the background with the Octagon.”
In fact, as Helwani mentions, MMA was targeted by American politicians and banned in most states 30 years ago. An event in the capital of the United States, on one of the country’s most prominent landmarks, underscores just how far the UFC has come.
“Ten years ago, it was still banned in New York,” Helwani said. “And to think that 10 years later — actually, the symbolism of [Trump] being elected the same week as the first show at MSG, 10 years later, an actual event at the White House — is pretty insane.”
That said, question arose as to the logistics of putting on such a card. President Trump said he sees 25,000+ people on the White House grounds, with Helwani and company being very skeptical of such a sight with proper maximum security measures put in place.
Scheduling also came into question, as while July 4, 2026, is a Saturday, it would put the event one week after the recent running dates of the UFC’s International Fight Week event (the last weekend of June). While some proposed the idea of moving International Fight Week to DC (which would be a whole other headache in itself) or re-scheduling International Fight Week, Helwani feels it’s doable to keep the week where it is and make what he would consider the most anticipated two-week period for the UFC.
On that note, it brings up the question of what kind of an event a UFC White House card would be — a traditional pay-per-view, a prominent Fight Night card (on either Netflix or ABC, depending on if Netflix and/or ESPN get the UFC’s US TV rights for 2026 and beyond), or a small but meaningful card similar to what the UFC had went it first joined up with FOX in 2011.
What Fighters Would Be Involved On A UFC White House Card?
As mentioned, McGregor and Jones are the two most prominent names who volunteered for a card. And Carroll mentioned that despite circumstances and controversies surrounding both men, it’s not surprising that both have raised their hand — and that the two would be in consideration for such a unique event.
“It doesn’t surprise me that likes Jones and Connor are suddenly interested in in being there,” Carroll said. “I mean, Connor had a massive PR pop when he arrived in the White House on St. Patrick’s Day — and [that] kind of became the catalyst for this political career he’s embarking on. So, I mean it would be a huge, huge deal.”
While Carroll is more than skeptical of the idea, the Boys in the Back (Burks and Jackman) add that McGregor would bring a fitting boost to such a unique event, and that it would be a “perfect” time for him to fight Chandler — a fight that has been anticipated since 2023 before ultimately getting canceled in 2024.
As far as Jones goes if there is one fight to make, Carroll feels there’s “one f****** fight to make” despite the Jones-Aspinall negotiations falling through officially with Jones’ brief retirement stint, which promoted Aspinall to undisputed champion.
Debates went through the group, however, about if one of them should headline given their baggage, as well as McGregor not being an American (though Chandler is). It also sparks debate about what fighters (with Bo Nickal and Sean Strickland’s names thrown out there) could be on the card — and if the fighter selections would be based on name value, lack of controversy, etc. This also comes at a time where Kayla Harrison is the sole American champion in the UFC.
A question was brought up additionally about if the UFC would be willing to sacrifice a high-revenue making fight like a Jones vs. Aspinall or McGregor vs. Chandler for the sake of the press they’d get for such a unique, historical, and political event.
For Jon Anik’s money, there’s no better trash-talker in the fight game today than Paddy Pimblett.
Since making his promotional debut in 2021, ‘The Baddy’ has become a bona fide star inside the Octagon. Aside from a solic 7-0 record under the UFC banner, Pimblett has grown a massive fan following courtesy of his brash attitude and unwavering confidence.
Many, including Anik, have even likened the Liverpudlian’s skills on the mic to former champ-champ Conor McGregor, noting how, like ‘The Notorious,’ Pimblett always shoots from the hip.
“Paddy Pimblett’s a master orator, right? And not unlike Conor McGregor, nothing that Paddy says is scripted,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “And I think that’s a big part of it for me. I love Chael Sonnen—he’s one of the best orators I’ve ever been around, but some of his material was scripted. Paddy Pimblett, they just shoot straight from the hip.
“But right now, if you’re asking me, the best trash talker in mixed martial arts today is Paddy Pimblett. And I think the Scouser accent is part of the equation. I gotta go. Love you. Thanks. Thanks.”
Is Paddy Pimblett Ready for the Big Show?
Pimblett’s star power reached another all-time high last month when he famously stepped into the Octagon immediately following Ilia Topuria’s stunning first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
With years of animosity brewing, Pimblett and Topuria exchanged some NSFW words before a shoving match erupted between the two top stars.
The incident immediately had fight fans salivating, calling for the UFC to immediately book their long-awaited clash. Unfortunately, Dana White wasn’t exactly thrilled with the encounter, suggesting that the promotion may already have other plans for Pimblett.
July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States declaring independence from Great Britain. That particular date also falls on a Saturday, and while the UFC typically takes off for American Independence Day weekend, could a chance to be involved in Washington D.C.’s events alongside U.S. President Donald Trump cause a one-time change?
It could be if Trump has his way. And perhaps that kind of event would be enough to draw a matchup, once thought to be dead in the water, involving MMA’s biggest star ever back to life.
During an event on Thursday (July 3), Trump, at an event that marked a year-long celebration leading to the U.S.’ semiquincentennial, teased the idea of having a UFC event on the grounds of the White House, the residency of the U.S. President, during next year’s Independence Day events.
“So every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250,” Trump said. “And I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight. “Think of this on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”
According to the Associated Press, a spokesperson from the White House had no official details for such an event. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, claims the U.S. President is “dead serious” about it.
Other logistics would also have to be worked out. The UFC has typically used the last weekend in June or the first or second weekend of July for it’s annual International Fight Week celebrations in Las Vegas.
Trump and UFC President Dana White have enjoyed a long-standing friendship. The Trump Taj Mahal (now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, hosted a pair of UFC events in 2001 as Zuffa, the then-recent new owners of UFC, were getting their feet under them at the same time the UFC was working alongside athletic commissions to get professional MMA sanctioned.
Since his first election to the presidency, Trump has been a key figure at several UFC events, most recently appearing at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, last month.
Could Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Headline A Proposed UFC Event At The White House?
Hours after Trump made the tease, Conor McGregor took to social media, announcing his desire to end his long layoff from the cage to compete in the main event of the White House’s UFC card. McGregor even posted an Instagram message to White, with White saying he “loves” the idea.
Happy 4th of July, USA. 🇺🇸
Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House.
McGregor has not been seen in the Octagon since losing his UFC 264 trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier due to injury.
Hours after his initial posts, McGregor made another social media post, showing what appears to be an AI-rendered image of him and Michael Chandler facing off in suits on the White House, with President Trump smiling in the background.
Neither Chandler nor the UFC have made an official statement on the White House event, let alone the potential McGregor vs. Chandler could headline such a card.
McGregor and Chandler were initially scheduled to fight after the two coached season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023. As time went on, no fight announcement happened, however, until White announced at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference that McGregor and Chandler would face off at UFC 303 — during 2024’s International Fight Week.
The month of UFC 303, however, a press conference scheduled for Dublin was suddenly canceled at the eleventh hour, and the fight ended up dissolving. The official claim is a toe injury to McGregor, but some have speculated a contract dispute between McGregor and the UFC.
McGregor, also a part-owner of BKFC, has two fights remaining on his current UFC deal, and some have speculated the UFC want McGregor to sign another deal and lock him up.
McGregor, of course, has also dealt with his long list of controversies outside the cage, including a jury’s ruling last November implicating him in the alleged December 2018 sexual assault of a woman, Nikita Hand, in a Dublin hotel. Additionally, a video surfaced weeks ago of McGregor punching a man at a nightclub in Ibiza.
Former rival Paulie Malignaggi has given his thoughts on what Conor McGregor would be like in the world of politics.
As we know, Conor McGregor isn’t particularly involved in the world of mixed martial arts right now. While he continues to tease the possibility of a return to the UFC at some point in the future, his focus is more on politics. He wants to become president of Ireland, although based on what most people in the country is saying, it seems unlikely at this point.
Conor McGregor is the definition of a divisive figure and that much is an understatement. He’s made a lot of enemies over the years, including Paulie Malignaggi, who he sparred with in preparation for his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather back in the day.
In a recent interview with Spin Genie, Paulie Malignaggi gave his thoughts on Conor McGregor properly entering politics.
“I don’t think McGregor will ever come back but he’ll tease it. As far as politics, he’s very bribeable as far as being lobbied. He could use his popularity [to get into office] if he gets lobbied and bribed by the right people. “If he lets himself be bought by the right people, it’s possible. And he’s definitely a candidate to be bought by the right people because he’s like I said, he’s got no backbone.
“But I notice Ireland is sort of holding its own push back against certain kinds of movements. “Considering all the money he’s made, and the potential that he has to help people, even in politics, he’ll only ever be about himself.”
Michael Chandler has been burned many times regarding the booking of a Conor McGregor fight but the former multi-time Bellator MMA champion stilll keeps calling out the Irishman all the same. ‘Iron’ Michael explained some of his logic behind this during an interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. This interview was the first that Chandler has done since his devastating setback against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 and articulated what he wants next.
Michael Chandler Calls Out Conor McGregor
On, Conor McGregor Chandler said:
“It was really funny. I was sitting around with a buddy and we have the same exact anniversary. I looked it up—January 24th is my wife and I’s anniversary, and it just so happens to be a Saturday. So I was like, ‘Let’s throw that out there, let’s speak it into existence.’ The turn of the new year, probably a new TV deal these guys are working on. If that Conor McGregorfight is out there and that needs to happen in January, that makes a lot ofsense.
“I get asked about it almost every single interview, and rightfully so—the Conor-Chandler thing just stays alive. We were supposed to fight in June, we did The Ultimate Fighter, we have to finish The Ultimate Fighter. If me and Conor McGregorare supposed to fight and he’s supposed to come back, it’s going to happen. I don’t need to force it. If I’m a betting man, I’m not sure if he comes back. Do I want to fight him? Do I want to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31? Absolutely.”
Image: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram
Michael Chandler touches on the Paddy Pimblett setback
Michael Chandler has given his first interview since his loss to the former Cage Warriors champion and is finally shining some light on that performance almost fifty days after the loss. In the same interview with MMA Junkie, Chandler spoke about how he felt like like he couldn’t get his rhythm or his range when fighting the surging UK star in their Miami matchup. Michael Chandler mentioned that when he finally started somewhat settling into things a bit more, he ate that emphatic knee to the face from Paddy Pimblett and felt like it was the end of it when he was taken down thereafter.
It will be interesting to see the next move for Chandler who aims to rebound from setbacks to Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier. Chandler mentioned he wants to take the Summer off and seems to prefer to map out a return bout for later on in the year.
When it comes to legendary MMA rivalries, few can match the heat between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. The two men, both icons in their own right, clashed at UFC 229 in October 2018, a night that delivered fireworks inside and outside the cage.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Talks Conor McGregor
Khabib Nurmagomedov, a Russian-Dagestani fighter who retired undefeated at 29-0 and held the UFC Lightweight Championship, was known for his grappling and calm demeanor. McGregor, the Irish-born superstar, made history as the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously and drew crowds with his sharp tongue and knockout power.
The build-up to their fight was anything but polite. Conor McGregor, never shy with words, took his trash talk to new levels, targeting not just Khabib Nurmagomedov but also his family, religion, and country. This didn’t sit well with Khabib’s coach, Javier Mendez, who recently didn’t mince words about McGregor’s approach.
Image: @akajav/Instagram
“You want to talk about a fighter, go ahead, free game. But you talked about religion, you talked about family, you talked about country. I don’t respect fighters who do that,” Mendez said, in an interview with Mike Perry, making it clear that some lines shouldn’t be crossed.
Khabib won the match, eventually forcing McGregor to tap out in the fourth round with a face crank, a move that left no doubt about who was the better man that night. The aftermath was chaotic, with Khabib leaping over the cage to confront McGregor’s team, sparking a brawl that made as many headlines as the fight itself.
Image: UFC.com
According to Mendez, that night changed McGregor. “He hasn’t been the same after that loss with Khabib. He went down,” Mendez said, echoing what many in the MMA world have observed. Before facing Khabib, McGregor was on top of the world, having knocked out legends and collected belts. After the loss, his career has been rocky: a quick win over Donald Cerrone, but then back-to-back losses and a serious leg injury against Dustin Poirier that’s kept him out of the cage for years.
Meanwhile, Khabib Nurmagomedov retired undefeated and has since become a coach and promoter. So, while McGregor remains a massive draw and still talks a big game, his old spark has dimmed since that night in Las Vegas. As for Mendez and Team Khabib, they’re not exactly sending McGregor any holiday cards.
Conor McGregor was supposedly in advanced negotiations for potential showdowns against top influencer boxers.
McGregor has remained sidelined since suffering a brutal leg break in his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in July 2021. Despite years of relentless teases and bold declarations about a comeback, the Irishman’s long-awaited return to the Octagon has remained nothing more than talk.
During a recent episode of Misfits News on YouTube, promoter Mams Taylor revealed that McGregor was on the verge of finalizing a crossover boxing match against KSI. The bout, reportedly orchestrated by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh, was set to take place on Alcatraz Island in June.
However, at the last moment, just before the fight could be officially announced, the former UFC two-division champion reportedly withdrew.
“The Conor McGregor one, we thought it was a done deal,” Taylor said. “We were told it was a done deal. I don’t know exactly [what happened] because I wasn’t part of the negotiations with Conor, but I think Conor made a statement recently about that and addressed it subtly so just refer back to that. He wants to be a politician and who knows? I think that’s a very exciting fight, I think it’s a wonderful fight, it would be massive. That got KSI more excited than I’ve ever seen him and I’ve seen him go through ups, downs, all kinds of crazy stuff we’ve been through together.”
Taylor’s assertions seem to be corroborated by a statement made by “The Notorious” last month, where McGregor confessed to turning down an opportunity to fight on Alcatraz. He explained that his focus was instead directed toward his ambitious presidential campaign in Ireland.
Conor McGregor: 'There was a deal to fight in Alcatraz, and they came to me and it wasn't my worth … My comeback will be the biggest comeback of all time. It has to be right. Right now Ireland is in my thoughts.' pic.twitter.com/ftBOI1dRna
Conor McGregor’s recent statements suggest he might be finished with fighting, nearly four years after his last UFC appearance.
At a BKFC event in Florida, McGregor said he turned down a chance to fight again and is now focused on a career in politics. He also said, “I’m happy with what I’ve done,” which sounds more like a goodbye than a hint at a future fight.
However, UFC legend Matt Brown points out that McGregor has been talking about these kinds of plans since he first became famous. Brown says McGregor is simply following through on promises he made years ago.
“He told us like 10 years ago what he was going to do,” Brown said on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Do you remember him talking about it? ‘I’m going to come in, I’m going to take over, I’m going to make money and then I’m going to get the f*ck out.’
“He said something along the lines of this game is brutal, you don’t want to be in it too long. He told us however many 8 or 10 years ago. He literally told us and he has done it.”
Brown, despite having previously said that McGregor was likely done with fighting, acknowledges the strong pull of attention and fame that comes with being UFC’s biggest star. The retired fighter understands that this kind of spotlight is hard to let go of.
However, he believes that McGregor has found other ways to stay in the public eye, like a future in politics and becoming a co-owner in BKFC, which might mean he won’t return to fighting.
“This is not surprising at all,” Brown said. “He’s just finally, actually [copping to it]. He loves being in the news. He loves staying relevant and putting his two cents into everything. He’s kept his voice out there and we’ve all paid attention and we’re still talking about it.
“He’s done a good job of that. A good job of playing the media. I told you before, he’s done. I think he’s just confirming what we already knew.”
Chael Sonnen identifies two reigning champions whom he believes have the potential to succeed Conor McGregor as the next global superstar of the UFC.
Over the years, “The Notorious” has skyrocketed to a level of fame in the UFC that few, if any, fighters in combat sports history have ever matched, blending his iconic trash talk with a flashy fighting style, which earned him recognition as the promotion’s biggest superstar.
During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen shared his thoughts on who could emerge as the UFC’s next marquee star. He acknowledged that former champions like Sean O’Malley and Israel Adesanya were once frontrunners in McGregor’s absence but have fallen short of achieving the same global superstardom.
The former UFC title challenger-turned-analyst went on to highlight featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall as the two fighters he believes are on the cusp of becoming the UFC’s next megastar.
“O’Malley starts playing another game: to become the face of the company,” Sonnen said. “A game that Izzy [Adesanya] was already playing. In the absence of Conor McGregor, it’s a seat that needs to be taken. … Right now the battle is between Tom and Ilia. It’s a hard seat to get.”
Sonnen further noted that the UFC’s top two pound-for-pound fighters, Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones, show little interest in becoming the promotion’s flagship attraction.
“Jon Jones and Islam [Makhachev] aren’t playing the game. That’s not something either is interested in doing. So that seat is still available.”
Aspinall remains on the sidelines, having waited over 500 days for Jones to accept his challenge for a heavyweight title unification bout. The Englishman last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 304 in July, where he delivered a swift victory over Curtis Blaydes to retain his interim belt.
Topuria is coming off a dominant third-round knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October, marking his first — and ultimately only — title defense before vacating the belt.
After an unusual shift in betting odds was observed leading up to Minner’s first-round TKO loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at a Fight Night event in November 2022, regulators launched an investigation into potential betting irregularities. The inquiry later revealed that Minner had knowingly concealed a pre-existing injury before stepping into the Octagon, leading to a 29-month suspension.
“El Jefe” was found guilty of being aware of Minner’s injury, failing to report it, and even placing a bet on his fight. With his suspension applied retroactively, Molina will be eligible to return to competition on Nov. 5.
Following his suspension, Molina aired his frustrations on X, responding to a fan in a series of posts. He stressed that he had placed bets across the entire fight card and that his wager on Minner’s bout was less than $500.
However, he admit that his only wrongdoing was continuing to place bets on fights despite the UFC’s directive prohibiting it.
My words were twisted here. I wagered on the entire card. It’s how I made extra money on the side when I wasn’t fighting and all I do is watch fights. I had wagers on both sides of the fight and my “significant” bet was less than $500. The only thing I’m guilty of was continuing
“El Jefe” also argued that his three-year suspension was excessively harsh and disproportionate to the offense. He underscored the inconsistency in enforcement, noting that former two-division UFC champion McGregor frequently showcases his apparent bets on social media without facing any repercussions.
“Getting a 3 year suspension for continuing to bet two weeks after getting an email that said to stop is insane. McGregor can post his million dollar bet slip every month on a main event as a fighter on the roster and no one blinks an eye. Definitely a double standard there,” Molina wrote on X.
and no one blinks an eye. Def a double standard there
Molina last competed in June 2022, where he battled his way to a split decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov, improving his undefeated UFC record to 3-0. The flyweight standout currently boasts a professional record of 11-2, with five of his wins coming by way of submission.
Conor McGregor made a notable appearance at the White House in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
On Monday, McGregor, along with his partner Dee Devlin and their four children, was called upon by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, at the Oval Office in Washington, D.C.. He also had a meeting with X CEO Elon Musk and other prominent officials.
Fans had a mixed reaction to Conor McGregor’s unexpected visit to the White House to meet Trump, with many referencing “The Notorious” in various creative ways.
Conor McGregor’s visit to Washington, paired with his outspoken stance on Ireland’s immigration policies, did not go without controversy, as it sparked backlash from the country’s leadership.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin strongly rebuked his statements, while Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris was quick to clarify that the 36-year-old UFC star was not in the White House as a representative of Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship.
Conor McGregor’s remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland.
“The Notorious” has been out of action since suffering a brutal leg fracture in his trilogy bout against longtime rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
After years on the sidelines, McGregor was finally set to make his highly anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, following their stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Season 31 in 2023.
However, just two weeks before fight night, the Irishman withdrew due to a broken toe, leaving fans uncertain about if or when he will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon.
According to former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, the fighting career of Conor McGregor is over.
McGregor continues to fuel speculation about his return to combat sports, with rumors linking him to various potential matchups. Alongside talk of a boxing bout against Logan Paul, the Irishman has also been associated with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he became a part-owner last year and has attended multiple events.
Oliveira recently shared his thoughts on McGregor’s potential return while speaking with Oddspedia. “Do Bronx” expressed serious doubts about McGregor stepping into the ring or Octagon again.
“To be honest, I don’t know why people are still talking about Conor McGregor. He has done everything he wanted to do in the sport and now he chooses to live his life the way he is living,” Oliveira stated.
“We were waiting for his return, and Michael Chandler was waiting for about two years, but he didn’t show up. I think the fans should forget about Conor McGregor coming back — he isn’t going to fight again.”
McGregor has most recently been teasing an entry into politics.
Conor McGregor has since been entangled in multiple legal battles since his last fight, with one of the most significant coming in November when a jury in the Dublin High Court found him liable for assaulting Nikita Hand, who had accused the former UFC lightweight champion of sexually assaulting her in December 2018.
Conor McGregor is set to visit the Oval Office today for a high-profile meeting with Donald Trump.
On Monday, the former UFC two-division champion made a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room, where he was introduced by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who announced that he would be meeting with the President of the United States and other key administration officials as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to Washington, D.C.
“The Notorious” also briefed reporters and stated that his visit to Washington is “to raise the issues the people of Ireland face.”
“Ireland and America, we are siblings. We consider America our big sibling, Conor McGregor said. “So it’s important for Ireland to be a peaceful, prosperous country for 40 million Irish Americans to have a place to visit, [to] come back to their home. So we wish for our relationship with the United States to continue, and we wish to be taken care of by the big bro. The United States should look after its little bro. And that’s how we feel.”
McGregor and Trump share a strong mutual admiration, a connection underscored when the 47th U.S. president personally invited the UFC superstar to his inauguration ceremony in January after being re-elected this past November.
Last week, during a bilateral meeting with Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, Trump praised Conor McGregor, admiring his tattoos, fighting style, and larger-than-life presence. He attributed the 36-year-old Irishman’s success to the toughness of the Irish people.
🇮🇪 ☘️ Donal Trump says he's a big fan of Conor McGregor:
"I do happen to like your fighter. He's got the best tattoos I've ever seen. Conor's great… Ireland's always had a lot of good fighters—you know why, because they're tough people."
McGregor is also embroiled in another civil lawsuit, with an anonymous woman accusing him of sexual assault during the Heat vs. Celtics NBA Finals game in June 2023.
Jon Jones and the rest of the UFC’s heavyweight division may need to take notice, as the promotion has been snubbed by one of its biggest box office attractions — Conor McGregor.
The former two-division UFC champion recently praised Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s (BKFC) heavyweight division, drawing attention to its growing roster.
On Tuesday, the BKFC confirmed that Kenzie “TCB” Morrison, son of the late Tommy Morrison, had officially signed with the organization. Morrison, who boasts a knockout record of 20 wins in 22 fights, joins BKFC after a successful boxing career.
His signing has drawn praise from the promotion’s part-owner, Conor McGregor, who took to X to celebrate BKFC’s heavyweight division, calling it “the best” in all of combat sports in response to BKFC’s claim that things were “getting interesting.”
BKFC founder Dave Feldman has called Morrison an “enormous addition” to their stacked heavyweight division. The date and location of his debut fight are yet to be announced.
Tommy Morrison, best known for his 1993 WBO heavyweight title victory over George Foreman and his role as “Tommy Gunn” in Rocky V, passed away in September 2013 at the age of 44.
