It was the fight that never happened, and it was one UFC fans desperately wanted to see.
Conor McGregor (22-6) and Michael Chandler (23-10) were supposed to fight several times over the last few years. The two coached opposite one another on “The Ultimate Fighter 31,” trash-talking their way to building up one of the most anticipated fights of that year, though it never actually materialized.
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They came close to stepping into the Octagon back in June 2024, but the fight was scrapped after McGregor suffered a broken toe in training that abruptly canceled a UFC 303 press conference and left the company scrambling to find a replacement fight (which ultimately went to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka).
UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor reacts as he walks on stage for UFC 205 Weigh-ins at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
And now that McGregor is set to make his UFC return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, many have wondered if the Chandler grudge match will ever happen. Well, according to McGregor’s manager Audie Attar, there’s a chance that it might.
“Conor really wanted to give [his return fight] to Michael Chandler,” Attar told MMA Junkie. “He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it.
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“At the time, it just didn’t make sense for the UFC, but it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future. Michael has a great fight ahead of him at the White House, and we wish him the best. We want him to succeed. It can become a reality.”
Michael Chandler of the United States of America looks on during a lightweight fight against Charles Oliveira of Brazil during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Though Chandler is riding a three-fight losing streak, he’s still one of the top draws in the lightweight division. He’s scheduled to face Mauricio Ruffy (13-2) at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, and if he wins, a fight against McGregor could be on the table.
McGregor’s got his work cut out as well in facing Halloway, a former UFC lightweight and “BMF” champion, after a five-year hiatus following a broken leg suffered against Dustin Poirier back in 2021.
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If the UFC does book McGregor vs. Chandler, it will presumably be one of the biggest drawing cards of the year. Both fighters are fan favorites, and both fighters have reputations for turning fights into wars.
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