Despite falling short in his previous outing, Michael Chandler remains focused on securing a long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor.
Chandler last fought at UFC 309, where former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira defeated him. Over his last six fights, Chandler holds a 2-4 record, with his most recent victory being a knockout of Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022. That win earned him Performance of the Night honors. Later in the year, Chandler engaged in a grueling bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, which was awarded Fight of the Night despite ending in a submission loss for Chandler.
The highly anticipated matchup with McGregor was once within reach but ultimately fell apart. However, Chandler remains optimistic. While appearing on Bussin’ with the Boys, he expressed interest in reigniting the fight, targeting the summer of 2025.
“I think me and Conor International Fight Week is the next fight,” Chandler said. “That’s what I’m throwing out there. I think June, July.”
Chandler believes the fight is still on the table because both McGregor and the UFC want to finish the story they started on The Ultimate Fighter. He suggested that McGregor’s return to the octagon could lead directly to their long-awaited clash.
“I’m not saying it’s a real reality, but I am saying if he does, his road comes straight through Nashville, Tennessee,” Chandler explained. “His road back to the UFC, we have to finish The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC wants us to finish it. Conor wants to fight me, and he can fight anybody. He made a commitment.
“I’ve said this numerous times: I have no problem giving my opponents props. I think he is more sentimental and romantic about the sport than people give him credit for because he’s become this big, infamous brand. But he knows he’s nothing without the UFC octagon. He knows he’s nothing without the UFC. He was a plumber on welfare, sleeping on a couch. Without the UFC, he’s nothing. I don’t say that to take that away from him. We need our employers and brands to take us to the next level to create our lives.”
