Michael Chandler has decided to turn the page and leave for another time, or perhaps abandon forever the possibility of fighting Conor McGregor in the short-term future. At least that’s what the fans believed when the 38-year-old American, with a 23-8 career record, announced that he will now face 34-year-old Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, scheduled for Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden.

Dana White, UFC CEO, teased the news on Friday night. The fight will be a rematch of the vacant title fight that took place back in 2021 when Chandler suffered a TKO loss in the second round despite dominating the first with his barrage of punches. However, Chandler has now provided a massive update that would surely please MMA fans, as he has now revealed that the McGregor fight is still on.

In the press conference for UFC 306, Chandler finally stated the McGregor fight and revealed that the fight is still on. After all, they hyped up the fight for so long, it will have to happen, according to the MMA star: “Also everything about Conor McGregor. Conor McGregor, as I curtained it in the very beginning Conor McGregor is still not of the hook. Conor McGregor is going back to the UFC; still goes to Nashville, Tennessee, and Michael Chandler must finish, TUF 31; it has to happen. We’re at the same weight class. It was too long to build up for it, not to happen.”

Iron further added that while the dates are not yet set for the fight, he won’t be the one spilling the beans. But for now, since he was in shape and already ready for a fight, he had to skip on McGregor and opt to fight Oliveira instead. “But the first 25 months I was signed with the organization—fight of the night after fight of the night, fighting everybody, fighting for the title—that’s what I do. I’m an active guy. I’m constantly in shape; I’m constantly in training. So it was time for me; it was time for me to make a pivot because of the timeline.”

The last time, Iron almost faced the Notorious was as a trainer in the 2023 edition of The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC initially planned for both to fight in June, possibly at UFC 303. However, McGregor pulled out of the much-awaited fight due to a toe injury. But fans surely would give him the benefit of the doubt. Since, it was the first time that the Irishman canceled a scheduled fight. And if it gives fan any comfort, it seems like he too is still highly interested in having the fight.

McGregor is still hyped up for the fight

Conor McGregor has recently stated on social media that he wants to fight in 2024. In fact, he even posted his recent training videos on his Instagram. All this despite the UFC publicly stating that McGregor will not step into the Octagon at least until 2025. He also spoke about his formerly planned opponent at the recent post event press conference of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The Notorious revealed his thoughts about the Chandler and Oliveira fight and stated that he was happy with the date. As it could fit in with his potential fight against Chandler.

Since it is in November, according to the former double champion, maybe the UFC can book their fight for later. Possibly around January. McGregor was visibly frustrated and acknowledged that he tried to pressure the UFC. However, for now, the only thing he can do is keep on training daily and be optimistic.

What do you think? Will the two finally get to fight each other? Let us know in the comments.