Over a month after Michael Chandler shifted his focus away from a blockbuster fight against Conor McGregor, the No 6 UFC lightweight is adamant that the Irish superstar avoided him to get an easy route back to the Octagon.
Not having fought since July 2021, McGregor’s highly-anticipated return was announced for UFC 303 to cap off International Fight Week in June. However, after suffering a toe injury in camp, McGregor pulled out and left his designated dance partner in Chandler high and dry.
As the buzz surrounding the McGregor fight went flat, Chandler accepted a rematch with Charles Oliveira to co-headline November’s UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Still, Chandler expressed how he remains the rightful opponent for McGregor’s return while speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com.
‘Conor coming back makes a lot of sense,’ Chandler said. ‘He’s fought through injuries before, as seen on the documentaries he released. I never wanted to sound full of myself but there are a lot of easier fights for him to take.
‘But if he comes back, the road is through Nashville, Tennessee, and Michael Chandler,’ he added.
Michael Chandler insisted that Conor McGregor wants an easy fight in his UFC return
McGregor pulled out of his scheduled bout with Chandler in June after suffering a toe injury
Over two years after he parlayed a picturesque frontkick knockout over Tony Ferguson with a cinematic call out to McGregor, Chandler grew tired of waiting and training in vain for the former two-division champion.
McGregor infamously broke his tibia and lost his trilogy fight to Dustin Poirier in his last UFC appearance. Once he was fit to compete again, Chandler became the targeted opponent for McGregor’s return.
The long game of cat and mouse was highlighted by a season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, where the two served as opposing coaches.
While his training camp has now switched gears for a contrasting opponent, Chandler noted a gentleman’s agreement between him and McGregor.
‘It’s a clear path, I am next in line,’ he said. ‘You can’t do a season of The Ultimate Fighter and not fight. He signed a contract, and we had a gentlemen’s agreement. We both put butts in seats and people are going to be intrigued by anything Conor does.’
McGregor has not stepped in the Octagon since losing to Dustin Poirier in July of 2021
The long buildup to McGregor and Chandler’s fight included a season of The Ultimate Fighter
Chandler pointed out how he and McGregor had a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ to fight each other
As Chandler remains in the gym, McGregor’s consistent troubling behavior has raised concerns among MMA fans. Promising videos of him in the gym are routinely discarded by viral clips showcasing his drinking, gambling, and partying habits.
Furthermore, a recent video of McGregor playfighting with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka reportedly led the North London giants to investigate how the UFC star got to the pitch. While the leg kicks thrown toward the forward were padded and playful, the Gunners hope to avoid repeating the situation.
With a meeting against a familiar foe in Oliveira lined up, Chandler leaves no room for McGregor’s antics in his preparation.
‘I am 100 percent apathetic towards it,’ Chandler shared. ‘You can’t get emotionally invested with these things. Men do what men do and that’s how it will be. Until he is ready, the focus is on the title.’
‘I am focused on defeating Charles and fighting for the title next,’ he continued. ‘When Arman [Tsarukyan] and Islam [Makhachev] fight, wherever that may be, I will be cage side. The goal has always been the same.’
After Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the sport, Do Bronxs met Chandler for the vacant title in December 2021. In what was the ninth win of 11 straight, the Brazilian scored a knockout in the second round to become the king of the lightweights.
In September, Chandler agreed to fight Charles Oliveira for November’s UFC 309 in New York
Oliveira defeated Chandler via second-round KO to become the lightweight champion in 2021
Oliveira defeated Poirier and Justin Gaethje before losing the strap to Islam Makhachev
Oliveira went on to defend the title against Poirier before missing weight in his win against Justin Gaethje, leaving the belt vacant. After getting dethroned by the scale, he was submitted by reigning champion Islam Makhachev who brought the title back to Dagestan.
With a shot at redemption and title contention on the table, Chandler reiterated his excitement for the rematch.
Additionally, he noted his previous appearances at Madison Square Garden as he looks for his first victory in the historic venue.
‘After the fight [with McGregor] was cancelled, I booked the first flight home, licked my wounds, and went straight back to work,’ Chandler said. ‘Shortly after, I got a call from Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell], Charles Oliveira was offered for November and we agreed.’
‘MSG has always been a show,’ he added. ‘I have blown off the roof at that place with a Fight of the Year against Justin Gaethje and the fight against Dustin Poirier. It’s where magic happens.’
With a win over Beneil Dariush sandwiched between his losses to Makhachev and Tsarukyan, Oliveira holds a 34-10 record with 10 knockouts and a UFC record of 21 submissions.
Chandler’s last fight came in 2022 when he lost to Poirier at Madison Square Garden
In 2021, Chandler and Gaethje served up an all-time classic in a three-round slugfest at MSG
Chandler predicts a second-round finish over Oliveira when they meet again in November
On the other hand, Chandler enters the rematch with a 23-8 record, including 11 knockouts and seven submission wins. Chandler’s latest outing was a submission loss to Poirier at the Garden, which preluded his campaign for the McGregor fight.
When they meet again between 7th and 8th Avenue in Manhattan, Chandler insisted: ‘I finish him in the second [round]. I will be focused and disciplined. I will make him second guess, backpedal, and look for the exit sign late into the first round.’
As for rumors of McGregor potentially being done with the sport, Chandler shuts down the noise from the media and fans.
While crediting his rival for launching MMA’s mainstream popularity, Iron Mike stood his ground on being at the door when and if McGregor’s supposed return happens.
‘Nobody’s opinions matter,’ said Chandler. ‘Especially in 2024 when everyone has an opinion.’
‘If Conor comes back – great, I’m ready to fight him. If he doesn’t, we wish him well in retirement. His contributions to the sport are unmatched. All I’m worried about is me.’
