Chandler ‘Done Waiting’ For McGregor, Books Rematch Against Oliveira
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor will not be fighting Michael Chandler after all.
This is according to UFC CEO, Dana White, who sat down with Barstool Sports on Friday to promote this weekend’s UFC 306 event from inside The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite the promotion staring down a huge weekend, White still found himself answering questions about “Notorious.”
In case you forgot, McGregor has been sidelined since suffering a gruesome injury at the hands of Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 all the way back in July 2021. McGregor has had more than enough time to rehab and get himself back in fight shape, but a laundry lists of issues have prevented the UFC superstar from stepping foot back inside of the Octagon.
From movies releases to new business ventures, McGregor has had his hands full. Not to mention the Irish fighter is already filthy rich and can do just about anything he wants, which is why fight fans have been doubting his return for years. McGregor remained adamant that he still wanted to compete inside of the Octagon so the promotion has been trying to schedule his return fight against Chandler for quite some time.
Earlier this year, McGregor was booked to fight Chandler atop UFC 303 in Las Vegas. However, for the first time in his UFC career, McGregor was forced out of the bout due to injury. He ended up breaking a pinky toe in training and simply did not want to return to fighting unless he was 100 percent. Fight fans have been waiting ever since for the grudge match to be re-booked, but nothing has materialized.
On Friday, White casually dropped a bombshell while speaking with Barstool Sports and confirmed that Chandler no longer wants to wait for McGregor. Instead, the promotion has booked Chandler against former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for UFC 309 on Nov. 16 in New York City. The two first met at UFC 262 back in 2021 for the 155-pound title, which Oliveira won via second-round TKO.
BREAKING: Dana White tells me that Conor McGregor will no longer fight Michael Chandler in his UFC return.
Follow @SpinninBackfist for more. Full interview coming soon. pic.twitter.com/hA2hAaxzDS
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) September 14, 2024
BREAKING NEWS
Conor McGregor MAY fight Chandler next, but Chandler wanted a fight sooner.
so we get this BANGER instead
Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira
UFC 309 | New York City | November 16via @SpinninBackfist / @RobbieBarstool pic.twitter.com/IB5s5rTFYy
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) September 14, 2024
“No,” said White when asked if Chandler will still fight McGregor in his return. “Chandler said, ‘I’m done waiting. I want to fight.’”
As for McGregor, who knows when he’ll return and who he’ll fight. The former UFC champion took to social media on Friday to deliver a message to his former Ultimate Fighter coaching counterpart.
Chandler saw that takedown getting stuffed and mauled and officially dipped. Little Fat Pussy. I’m at the hard rock hotel Florida for the bare knuckle tonight. Got tested earlier today by DFSI. Give me my fucking date!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 14, 2024
“Chandler saw that takedown getting stuffed and mauled and officially dipped. Little Fat Pussy. I’m at the hard rock hotel Florida for the bare knuckle tonight. Got tested earlier today by DFSI. Give me my fucking date!”
