Michael Chandler, after losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, remains focused on a potential future fight with Conor McGregor while also considering other opponents like Max Holloway, as he navigates his career with options in the lightweight division.
Michael Chandler didn’t get the result he wanted. He lost a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira in a Fight of the Night performance at UFC 309. Tough break.
The fight came nearly two years after Chandler last appeared in the UFC. Why? He was waiting for a chance to face Conor McGregor. They’d been coaching against each other on The Ultimate Fighter. But then, McGregor broke his toe back in June. Ouch! Their scheduled fight got canceled, and Chandler had to move on. McGregor wasn’t coming back anytime soon.
Now, Dana White, UFC CEO, says he expects McGregor to return sometime in late 2025. Chandler’s got one opponent on his mind if that happens.
“Conor and I need to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31 — if he comes back,” Chandler said on the UFC 309 post-fight show. “He either needs to retire and just sail off into the sunset or he needs to come back. So we’ll see what happens.” Bold words!
Chandler never gave up hope on fighting McGregor. But he couldn’t keep his career on hold for a matchup with no date attached.
Despite the loss to Oliveira, Chandler knows he’s still a hot commodity. Lots of options out there for him.
He’s particularly interested in Max Holloway, former UFC featherweight king and current “baddest motherf*cker” champ. That could be quite a showdown.
Still, Chandler has his sights set on the McGregor fight. Not exactly holding his breath for it, though.
“Max coming up to 155 [is interesting],” Chandler said. “Conor figuring out his stuff outside of fighting in an octagon." Quite the puzzle!
"The lightweight division is stacked," Chandler mused. "Full of awesome dudes." True that! After enjoying the holidays, he’s planning talks with Hunter Campbell and Dana White about what’s next for 2025.
Two big names on his wish list: McGregor and Holloway. Let’s see what unfolds!