Michael Chandler may not be Conor McGregor’s comeback opponent, but he is still pleased to see the former two-division champion back in action.
McGregor is set to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, marking his first fight in five years. Chandler, who was previously linked to a long-anticipated matchup with the Irish star, said he holds no frustration over the UFC’s decision.
Read our UFC 329 predictions here.
Chandler Believes Fight With McGregor Will Happen
After years of speculation, Chandler said in an interview with MMA Junkie that he remains confident that a meeting with McGregor is still in the cards.
“It’s funny, man: Me vs. Conor, whether it was ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ in the lead-up, then the actual training camp, then the pullout of the fight and the possible rebooking – this whole thing has been an up-and-down soap opera for the better part of a couple years,”
Chandler also said he is determined that a fight between him and Conor will still happen; regardless if it’s in the UFC or other organization.
“Whether me and Conor fight in the UFC or not, Conor and I will compete against each other at some point, in some venue, somewhere, somehow, some way.”
Chandler Has Been Waiting For McGregor Since 2023
The history between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor has been one of the most disappointing sagas in modern UFC history (especially for Michael Chandler).
The rivalry officially kicked off in early 2023 when the two were selected as opposing coaches for Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. Chandler was set to be McGregor’s return fight, after breaking his leg in 2021. He even turned down other lucrative fights to wait for the biggest payday of his career.
The matchup was finally set to headline UFC 303 in June 2024, but the bout collapsed just weeks before the event when McGregor withdrew due to a broken toe. Chandler briefly moved on to fight Charles Oliveira later that year, but has since then called out McGregor on virtually any chance.
Focus Shifts to UFC Freedom 250
Before thinking about McGregor, Chandler has business to handle against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.
The former Bellator champion enters the bout looking to end a three-fight skid and get himself back into the lightweight conversation.
UFC bookies aren’t favoring the veteran, however, listing Chandler as a steep +450 betting underdog against the 29-year-old Ruffy, who sits as a heavy -600 favorite following his spectacular knockout of Rafael Fiziev.