Michael Chandler is done waiting for Conor McGregor’s return! After months of uncertainty and a heart-breaking cancellation of UFC 303, the former Bellator champion has finally got his next opponent. And it’s not ‘The Notorious’. His new opponent? A familiar face that he has already faced at UFC 262 in 2021.

While UFC CEO Dana White recently indicated that Conor McGregor’s return is possibly set for 2025, that may have been too long for Chandler. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Iron’ has put the lightweight division, and the champion Islam Makhachev, on notice and revealed the mindset behind his decision to take on ‘Do Bronx’!

Leaving Conor McGregor’s fight in the rearview mirror, Michael Chandler announces his campaign for the lightweight title

Always fiery and determined, Michael Chandler laid out the whirlwind journey he has been on ever since he made his debut in the promotion. The UFC lightweight stated, “From October of 2020 to November of 2022 in a 25 month span, I did 6 training camps, 1 backup fight for the world title fight, 5 fights in 25 months, 4 fight of the night or performance of the night bonuses, 2 fight of the year candidates, 1 fight of the year against Justin Gaethje, 1 KO of the year against Tony Ferguson, 1 debut of the year against Dan Hooker. Debut of the year, fight of the year, knockout of the year in 25 months. That is why I’m taking the Charles Oliveira fight.”

But why the sudden pivot away from McGregor? Chandler didn’t mince words as he further shared, “I got more promo, more eyeballs, more of everything in the last year and a half than I would have gotten with 3 fights, and now I get the opportunity to take a title run. I beat Charles Oliveira, I become the number one contender. I beat Charles Oliveira, I can choose to go fight Islam or Arman. I believe it’s gonna be Islam.”

Chandler’s next stop? A rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on November 16, the man who took the vacant lightweight belt in 2021 by finishing him in the second round of their fight. Now, here’s where things get even more interesting. Chandler revealed further about a potential Conor McGregor fight, “Or if Conor can finally get his house in order and put together a training camp and show up to a fight, maybe I go fight Conor, and we finish The Ultimate Fighter 31.”

As Chandler gears up for his next fight, one thing is clear: he’s back on the title track. Whether it’s Makhachev, Oliveira, or maybe even McGregor—if the Irishman can get his act together—Chandler is ready to take on all comers. However, he’ll have to get past Oliveira for now as the lightweight champion is on the sidelines and the UFC boss has confirmed that there won’t be an interim title fight!

Dana White confirms lightweight division will have to wait for the champion’s return

Fans who might have hoped for an interim lightweight title bout may need to wait for Islam Makhachev’s return. The Dagestani champion suffered a ligament injury in his hand during his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 and as such, is currently focusing on recovery. So, what does this mean for the no.1 contender Arman Tsarukyan?

In a recent interview with Manouk Akopyan, Dana White was firm in his stance as he shared, “Islam’s fought so many times and is always willing to jump up and take a fight. So, no, there won’t be an interim title. When he’s ready to go, we’ll go. We have plans. We’re looking at it right now on when he would fight.”

As such, Tsarukyan may need to wait for a bit longer to get the title shot he deserves. But for Chandler, this might be a good thing as if he gets past Charles Oliveira, he might find himself lining up for a shot at the winner of Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan and the elusive UFC gold.

Do you think Michael Chandler deserves a shot at the title if he wins against ‘Do Bronx’? Why or Why not? Let us know what you think in the comments below!