UFC lightweight star Michael Chandler is on the verge of his long-awaited return to the Octagon following almost a two-year layoff. In this high-stakes comeback, Chandler will go head-to-head with former champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch, looking to secure his place among the top contenders and make a strong case as the next title challenger. However, earlier this week, rumors circulated that issues on Oliveira’s side had UFC considering a last-minute replacement, sparking concern. Although the rumors were cleared up in time, the fight situation remains intriguing.

Recently, Chandler addressed the situation in an interview with Ariel Helwani, saying, “What’s really funny—I mean, I’ve got a theory. Obviously, I went through almost two and a half years of a layoff, 10 weeks of training for Conor, and then three days before, the fight gets canceled, you know? So maybe there was some internal gamesmanship going on there, like, ‘Hey, let’s leak that the fight might be off again. Let’s get Chandler freaked out.”

Michael Chandler has frequently been the subject of ridicule in mainstream media, largely due to his prolonged wait for a potential matchup with UFC star Conor McGregor. He was even dubbed “Hachiko” by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev—a reference to the famously loyal dog that waited for its owner until the day it died. This extended period of anticipation cost the Missouri native the prime years of his career, effectively putting his ambitions on pause. While the future of a McGregor fight remains uncertain, Chandler recently shared in an interview that he feels no regret over the wait.

Michael Chandler speaks on waiting for McGregor

In the combat sports scene, who wouldn’t want to fight Conor McGregor? It’s hard to resist a fight that may not guarantee a win but promises one thing—a lucrative “red panty night,” a dream for every fighter. Michael Chandler risked the peak of his career on the chance, but in the end, he walked away empty-handed.

However, Chandler holds no ill will toward the former two-division UFC champion. Instead, he takes full accountability for his decision. In his latest interview with Kevin Lee, Chandler shared his thoughts on waiting for McGregor. He said, “If Conor never comes back, it was a season of my life. It was a decision I made. I hold no ill will towards him or the UFC—how it all worked out. Man, accountability is a superpower, and my superpower is how accountable I am to my actions and my own decisions. A man must stand firmly and confidently in the decisions that he makes, even if it’s the wrong decision.”

Now, the former Bellator champion is entering the twilight phase of his career, focusing on the next 12 months and planning a blueprint for a few more fights, whether against McGregor or not, to achieve his remaining goals. What’s your take on Michael Chandler’s claims? Do you think his critics would go as far as mocking him to this extent? How might this affect Dana White’s PPV card value? Drop your opinion below.