In a sport like MMA, the dreaded toll of time presents a big danger to the fighters and Michael Chandler is living proof of that. ‘Iron’ threw nearly 18 months of his career as he was preparing for a “red panty night” against Conor McGregor at UFC 303. However, his plans never came to fruition owing to an injury to the Dubliner’s pinky toe. With the bout called off, Chandler’s opinion of ‘Mystic Mac’ has also changed drastically.

For the unversed, the former two-division champion has been inactive for a long time now with no signs of returning soon. So, does he still command the same impact over the sport as he once did? Let’s see what Chandler has to say about that.

Michael Chandler shares his honest opinion about Conor McGregor as a fighter

At 38, Michael Chandler dedicated nearly two years to preparing for a showdown with Conor McGregor, a fight that never materialized. Now, the former Bellator champion has put that rivalry behind him as he gears up to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Yet, the thought of stepping into the octagon with McGregor still lingers in his mind, and he’s expressed a desire to face the Irishman at least once in his career. Recently, Chandler sat down with veteran MMA journalist Kevin Iole to discuss his upcoming fight, and the conversation soon turned to his unfinished business with McGregor.

When asked if a victory over McGregor would hold the same weight as defeating other top contenders in the lightweight division, Chandler’s response was candid. “To answer your question, I don’t think that’s the public sentiment,” he admitted. “I don’t think people see Conor like they do guys like Charles Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, or Arman. But Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the sport, the biggest star power we have. He must be respected for what he’s done and who he is when he actually competes.”

‘Iron’ is walking into the fight high on confidence and feels he can beat the Brazilian this time around. However, this is not the only contest he is focused on. While speaking to Kevin Iole, the former Bellator champion his upcoming plans for his career in the year 2025.

Michael Chandler shares a roadmap for his career in 2025

At 38, Michael Chandler is undeniably in the twilight of his career, but his focus remains razor-sharp as he chases the 155lbs title. Ranked #7 in the UFC lightweight division, Chandler faced heavy criticism for spending two years pursuing a bout with Conor McGregor. Now, with that chapter seemingly behind him, he’s determined to make up for lost time with a bold, mapped-out plan for 2025.

In the same interview with Iole, Chandler outlined his vision: “Let me give you my road real quick, all right? I’ve already got it mapped out. Charles Oliveira, November 16th—I beat him, I become the number one contender. Then, I’m sitting cage-side to watch Islam and Arman in early 2025.”

Chandler’s plans go beyond a title shot. He expressed hope for a McGregor fight while also eyeing further milestones. “If Conor can come back, I could fight him in March, then face Islam in June or July and beat him. Same night, if Max Holloway has moved up to lightweight, wins against a top-five contender, he could be next,” Chandler shared. But that’s not all—he also has his sights set on a unique double-title match. “Imagine Chandler vs. Holloway at the end of 2025. I put my UFC lightweight belt on the line; he put his BMF belt up. We go from ‘Chandler’s inactive’ to ‘the craziest run in UFC history by the oldest lightweight champion!”, he added.

Do you think Michael Chandler can achieve this legendary finish to his career? Share your thoughts below!