Dana White: Conor McGregor ‘Ready to Fight,’ Michael Chandler Still Expected Opponent

While Conor McGregor recently indicated that UFC was ready to move on from Michael Chandler as a potential opponent, Dana White says that’s not the case.

McGregor and Chandler have served as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 31,” and the two are supposed to square off at the conclusion of the season. However, McGregor has yet to enter the USADA drug testing pool, which has put the status of his return in question.

“I talked to Conor, either yesterday or the day before, and yeah, he’s ready to fight,” White said at post-fight press conference for the Contender Series on Tuesday night. “I said, ‘Listen, get in shape and let’s figure this out.’”

After Justin Gaethje defeated Dustin Poirier in the UFC 291 headliner on July 29, McGregor called out the new BMF champion. In a since-deleted tweet, the Irish star claimed that the promotion might be interested in booking him against an opponent other than Chandler.

“I’ll do it if they want, no [problem],” McGregor wrote. “I don’t think they want him not more [though]. There’s loads of juicy fights around and my return date is my return date. I never gave a f—k about who it was. Ever. I’ll fight anyone. I’ll even fly them to me, ask [Paulie Malignaggi]. Flown in and [beat] around.”

According to White, that was simply a case of McGregor playing mind games.

Yeah, he’s fighting Chandler. He likes to f—k with everybody,” White said. “You know what I mean? Especially his opponent, or possible opponents.”