Michael Chandler will not fight Conor McGregor in 2024 and instead will face Charles Oliveira at UFC 307, a decision that Renato Moicano supports as he believes Chandler was wise to move on from waiting for McGregor, who has less incentive to fight due to his business ventures.
Michael Chandler won’t face Conor McGregor in 2024. Renato Moicano, headliner of UFC Paris, is “surprised” that Chandler has given up on waiting for UFC’s biggest star.
Chandler called for a fight with “The Notorious” after knocking out Tony Ferguson in May 2022. Despite losing to Dustin Poirier six months later, he still got the opportunity.
They coached a season of The Ultimate Fighter and set a date for UFC 303. However, when McGregor was injured, their paths diverged.
It’s uncertain when McGregor will return. Meanwhile, Chandler is set to re-enter the cage on Nov. 16 for a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 307 in New York.
“I’m surprised [Chandler] didn’t continue waiting,” Moicano told MMA Fighting. “This guy is too dumb, man.”
He elaborated: “McGregor is MMA’s biggest troll right now. He has no incentive to fight.”
Moicano questioned McGregor’s motives: “What’s the incentive for Conor McGregor to fight? He makes more money outside of fighting.”
Moicano continued, “Right now he’s using the UFC more like a marketing agency because everybody talks about him.”
“I was surprised that Chandler gave up on waiting,” Moicano added. “It’s like investing money and not knowing if it’s worth it.”
In the end, Moicano thinks Chandler made the right choice by moving on from McGregor. Facing Oliveira, who returns after a split decision defeat to Arman Tsarukyan, seems sensible.
“I think he was so invested in this fight that it was hard for him to pull out,” Moicano said. “But he saw it was for the best.”
“And he’s got a big fight too,” Moicano noted. “Oliveira is popular and a former champion.”
Moicano himself is focused on his upcoming bout—a UFC Paris main event against Benoit Saint Denis this Saturday.
He wonders how Chandler will look two years removed from his latest fight. “I hope Charles wins,” Moicano said.
“I like to watch Charles fight and I like his personality,” he added. “Maybe Charles is the favorite, but I don’t know.”
“It’s been so long since we’ve seen Chandler fight,” Moicano mused. “Chandler is dangerous early, and Charles gets hit a lot in the beginning.”
“If this fight goes to later rounds, I think Charles’ chances increase,” he concluded. “I’m on the fence on this one, but I hope Charles wins.”