Wai͏͏tin͏g fo͏r͏ ͏͏Co͏͏no͏r McGregor might ͏have bac͏kfired fo͏r the ͏f͏ormer ͏Bel͏lator champion Michael Chandler, conside͏ring th͏e fact that ‘͏I͏ron’ was͏ out of action fo͏r a fu͏ll two years͏ wi͏t͏hou͏t injury or suspension. Waiting for t͏h͏e ‘Red Panty N͏i͏͏ght’ fight against ‘The Notorious’ seemed too good of an opportunity to pass up. With the slow revelation of that fight not happening, ‘Iron Mike’ finally took the hint and decided to move past that fight. A rejuvenated Chandler finally seems to be back on track, with his rematch against Charles Oliveira looming over the horizon.

However, the buck doesn’t stop there for the NCAA Division-1 wrestler, as Michael Chandler has set himself up for a series of potential high-profile fights in 2025. Not one to shy away from greatness, the 38-year old fighter seems has his eyes locked solely on the UFC lightweight title, with the High Ridge, Missouri, native experiencing his twilight years in the sport. So, what does Michael Chandler have in store for us? Let’s take a closer look!

Michael Chandler planning for a lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan

We are just a few days away from witnessing the clash between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira with this fight having the potential to steer the former Bellator champion to realizing gold in the UFC. ‘Iron’ may get an opportunity to fight for the title if he gets past the former lightweight champion in their rematch. This is key challenge for Chandler as he was on the receiving end of a finish at the hands of Oliveira, when they first met at UFC 262. However, ‘Iron Mike’ claims to have made the necessary adjustments, and seems sure to some extent of his possible win over Oliveira, given his plans for 2025.

“I’ve already got it mapped out,” Michael Chandler said in an interview with Kevin Iole. “Charles Oliveira, November 16th. I beat him, I become the number one contender, and I’m sitting cageside watching Islam and Arman, the first month or so of 2025. Then, we go to Ramadan, I believe Islam wins and Ramadan means he can’t be in training camp in February or March. He won’t be able to fight until June or July.”

He further added, “If Conor comes back, I can fight Conor in March. Then I can fight Islam in June or July, beat him. By that time, Max Holloway would’ve moved to lightweight, he can fight and beat a top-five, becomes the number-one contender. Chandler vs. Holloway at the end of 2025, I put my UFC lightweight belt on the line. He puts his ‘BMF’ belt on the line… Oldest lightweight UFC champion, that’s my story, that’s my vision, and I’m sticking to it.”

However, even if Michael Chandler beats Charles Oliveira on November 16th, a major roadblock stands in the way of his title aspirations in a fighter named Arman Tsarukyan. Considering Islam Makhachev is the champion, and Tsarukyan, the #1 contender – it only makes sense for the UFC to book the Dagestani-Armenian duo in a rematch for the lightweight title. If the title shot doesn’t work out for Chandler, ‘Iron’ always has other contenders he can dance with, such as the aforementioned Max Holloway, or even Conor McGregor, if ‘The Notorious’ finally decides to grant Chandler the infamous ‘Red Panty Night’.

What Michael Chandler said about a possible Conor McGregor fight in 2025

T͏͏h͏e͏ Con͏o͏r͏͏ ͏McGr͏eg͏or-͏M͏͏ic͏hael͏ Chandler saga͏ i͏s͏͏ on͏͏e of t͏h͏͏e bigg͏͏est ͏un͏f͏ini͏sh͏͏͏ed st͏ori͏e͏s in͏͏ ͏r͏ecen͏͏t ͏͏me͏mory.͏͏͏ ͏T͏h͏eir ͏fig͏h͏t wa͏͏s originall͏y͏ se͏t f͏͏or ͏UF͏C ͏3͏0͏3,͏ but the Irishman suffered a pinky toe injury causing t͏he ͏͏͏͏mat͏͏ch͏ ͏to ͏͏͏be͏ ͏͏͏canc͏͏e͏l͏͏͏͏e͏͏d. Even though Chandler has seemingly moved on from the fight, he still remains open to the possibility of facing ‘The Notorious’ when he returns in 2025.

Speaking to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Michael Chandler spoke about the inevitability of eventually facing McGregor – “He’ll probably hear from me for sure when I rip off a promo at the end of the fight. Probably should have kept that secret, but we’ll see. Yeah, we got something planned. I’m sure Conor’s name will get brought up. I mean, Chandler versus McGregor, we are tied together for the rest of our lives, whether we fight or we don’t fight.”

“And I do believe if he comes back, he wants to right that wrong of pulling out of TUF 31, pulling out of June 29th, UFC 303. Because I think, as I’ve said before, I think he’s more romantic about the sport than people give him credit for. If he can get his house in order and get focused and he comes back to the UFC, that fight has to happen. So I’m sure he’ll enter the chat”, stated Michael Chandler on McGregor scheduled return.

Currently, Conor McGregor facing serious allegations in Ireland, and with court proceeding not playing out in his favor, we’re not sure when the Irishman will make his much anticipated UFC return. However, if does return in 2025, will Michael Chandler be the one to welcome him back into the Octagon? Let us know in the comments below.