For more than a decade, the prospect of a UFC event at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium has encapsulated the minds of mixed martial arts followers.
[autotag]Dana White[/autotag] isn’t ruling out that figment soon becomes reality. With [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] in the works, details are being hashed out. There is no finalized date, location, or venue. But according to the UFC president, AT&T Stadium is among the arenas in consideration to host one of the promotion’s most anticipated fights.
“You can do the Cowboys’ stadium, Madison Square Garden, obviously Vegas and (T-Mobile Arena or Allegiant Stadium),” White recently told Sports Business Journal. “… We’re looking at all the different options.”
McGregor and Chandler competed against each other as coaches during the filming of the upcoming “The Ultimate Fighter 31.” Filming concluded in mid-March ahead of a season premiere May 30 on ESPN.
The fight between McGregor and Chandler will occur some time after the season concludes Aug. 15. Another potential delay to the bout is McGregor’s status in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug-testing pool. Following a leg break suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, McGregor removed himself from the USADA pool, a decision he says was due to the medical recommendations associated with such an injury.
McGregor recently said he thinks two negative tests will requalify him for competition. However, USADA repeatedly has said McGregor will need to be in the testing pool for six months prior to his return to competition – unless the UFC makes an exception.
Friday, MMA Junkie asked White if McGregor will receive such an exemption. The UFC president largely remained mum on the topic and said he doesn’t want to be directly involved with the drug-testing side of the promotion.
He reiterated that Saturday after UFC 286.
“Have you ever heard of Jeff Novitzky? Ask him these questions,” White said at the post-event news conference. “I don’t give a sh*t about any of that stuff anymore. That’s his problem. I don’t get involved in the drug testing situation whatsoever. I know nothing about it, and I don’t want to know nothing about it. I leave it to the expert. He’s the expert in this thing, and you guys call him and interview him anytime about it.”
McGregor, 34, is 1-3 in his most recent four MMA outings, dating back to October 2018. Chandler, 36, is also 1-3 in his most recent four, though he has competed nine times in that same time period.