Dober calls his UFC White House omission a 'disservice to Americans' as Chandler fight goes to Ruffy

Drew Dober believes the UFC made the wrong call by booking Mauricio Ruffy — rather than him — to face Michael Chandler at UFC White House on June 14, and he isn’t keeping that opinion to himself.

“Why am I not fighting Michael Chandler on this card?” Dober told Max Warin on YouTube. “It’s a disservice to Americans, I feel. First and foremost, I will fight Michael Chandler.”

Dober (29-15) made the comments during a lighthearted “train, fight, or party” segment in which he was asked to assign Chandler, Ilia Topuria, and Josh Hokit to each category. He chose Chandler to fight without hesitation, but his reasoning quickly shifted from a parlour game into a genuine callout.

For the training pick, Dober selected featherweight champion Topuria, citing the Georgian’s ability to finish elite opponents. “Because 5-foot-7 knocking people out. Dude, teach me your ways,” Dober said. “I know I knock people out but he is doing it to cooler people.”

That left rising UFC personality Josh Hokit as Dober’s party companion by default — though Dober framed it less as enthusiasm and more as spectator sport. “I don’t know if I want to party with him,” he said. “I will just stand back and watch because he going to make an ass of himself and I’m gonna love watching that.” Hokit has drawn attention in the promotion for his WWE-style promotional style.

Dober’s frustration at being passed over carries some weight given his recent form. The 34-year-old lightweight is coming off consecutive stoppage victories, the latest a finish of Michael Johnson in March 2025. Whether the UFC revisits a Dober-Chandler matchup after the White House card remains to be seen.