For 2 years, Michael Chandler waited on the sidelines hoping to safe a struggle with former two-division champion Conor McGregor. “Iron” remains to be keen to face the Irishman in McGregor’s octagon return however placed on expiration date on when he’ll transfer on from in search of the matchup.
“If Conor doesn’t come again within the first half of 2025, I will likely be combating another person,” Chandler not too long ago instructed Fortunate Block. “There are different fights I’m concerned about. I didn’t struggle for 2 years however that wasn’t all ready. I needed to take a while and provides my physique a break after my first 5 fights within the promotion which included a title struggle, and struggle of the nights, and the struggle of the yr.
“My physique wanted slightly little bit of a break and I used to be joyful to. A part of me was hanging onto this Conor factor but additionally type of slightly little bit of gamesmanship, having fun with the break day, letting my physique heal up slightly bit.”
McGregor and Chandler coached The Final Fighter 31 as opposing coaches. The filming started in Feb. 2023. The season aired from Could to August that yr. The 2 had been anticipated to struggle following the season however McGregor’s media obligations to advertise the film remake of ‘Street Home’ pushed the struggle date again. The 2 had been scheduled to headline UFC 303 final June however McGregor was pressured out of the match resulting from a toe damage.
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Accomplished with ready on McGregor, Chandler accepted a short-notice rematch towards former champion Charles Oliveira. The 2 first fought at UFC 262 in Could 2021 for the then-vacant title. Chandler almost completed Oliveira within the opening spherical however fell sufferer to a TKO loss early within the second body. Within the rematch at UFC 309 in November, Oliveira decisively defeated Chandler by way of unanimous determination.
“I perceive the implications (of making an attempt to e book a struggle with McGregor). I perceive that it’s not identical to reserving one other struggle, and I’m right here for the trip,” Chandler mentioned. “If it really works out, it really works out. If it doesn’t, my legacy is just not tied to Conor. My legacy is just not tied with combating Conor, and I’ve nonetheless obtained a whole lot of tread left on the tires and a whole lot of large fights to return.”
