Earlier this month, amidst the buzz surrounding UFC 306, UFC head honcho Dana White stirred the MMA community as fans eagerly awaited the return date of superstar Conor McGregor to the octagon against ranked #6 lightweight contender Michael Chandler. However, as time passed, the impatient ‘Iron Mike’, tired of waiting for over 18 months for his “red p*nty nights” due to ‘Notorious’s various endeavors, announced Dana White, who disclosed, “Chandler said, ‘I’m done waiting. I want to fight.”

Effectively burying the possibility of a McGregor vs. Chandler bout and leaving fans to wonder if they might never see the two fighters together. However, their negative thoughts were proven wrong as Michael Chandler recently came forward in a new interview, reigniting hope that the possibility of this fight is still alive, albeit at a very low percentage.

Michael Chandler comes clean about his fight against Conor McGregor

As soon as the Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira fight was announced for the UFC’s upcoming Madison Square Garden event scheduled for late fall, Conor McGregor couldn’t contain his frustration. After hearing the news, he slammed ‘Iron Mike’ online, prompting Chandler to give ‘Notorious’ a mouth-shutting reply, calling him “the most unreliable human being” ever. This left many wondering if the fight would ever happen.

‘Iron Mike’ added, “I believe the respect he has for the sport, the love and adoration he has for the UFC—because he is not Conor McGregor without the UFC—and also him being a man of his word.” He further drove the final nail in the coffin, claiming, “I do believe he and I have some unfinished business.” This sudden change in Michael Chandler’s attitude toward fighting Conor ‘Notorious’ is seen by MMA fans as connected to McGregor’s latest interview with Ariel Helwani, where McGregor claimed he would return to the octagon by 2025.

Michael Chandler may be eyeing another fight with Conor McGregor, but he now has to wait in line as ‘Notorious’ is attracting plenty of potential opponents. With Chandler moving on to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in November, McGregor’s former rival, Justin Gaethje, has now emerged as the top contender for a potential fight.

Why Conor McGregor Should Fight Justin Gaethje!

Since his knockout defeat to former featherweight champion Max Holloway earlier this summer at the historic UFC 300 for the BMF title, Justin Gaethje has been on hiatus, looking to bounce back in the promotion. For him, no opponent would be better than Conor McGregor, who has been out of the game since 2021 when he last fought in the octagon against former interim champion Dustin Poirier, sustaining a career-ending injury.

Since then, McGregor has been trying to find a way to return to the octagon, but his injury, his stint in Hollywood, and his issues with USADA have all gotten in the way. Consequently, potential opponents have moved on to other fighters, leaving ‘Notorious’ without a date or an opponent.

Recently, Ali Abdelaziz, manager for both Khabib and Justin Gaethje, suggested Gaethje as the best-suited opponent for McGregor’s return, claiming, “Listen, I think this guy [McGregor] is… I personally don’t think he’s ever gonna fight again. But it’s a fight out there. He’s always been looming. If he decides to fight again, I think he can fight Gaethje. Gaethje doesn’t have a fight. They don’t have a fight.”

What are your thoughts on Michael Chandler’s sudden change of attitude toward Conor McGregor? Do you think Chandler vs.’Notorious’ still has a chance to see the light of day again? Drop your opinion below.