Chandler Has No Ill Will Towards McGregor – ‘I Wish Conor The Best’

Michael Chandler has said he is not angry at Conor McGregor for their fight not happening. 

Chandler has been chasing the McGregor fight since their rivalry on the TUF 31 series. Michael came out victorious in the team challenge, but McGregor got his own back when they faced off in the coach’s challenge. They were set to face off at UFC 303 on June 29. It would have been the first time they fought since losing to Dustin Poirier. McGregor lost at UFC 264 in 2021 and broke his leg. Meanwhile, Chandler lost at UFC 281 in 2022.

However, the UFC 303 fight did not go ahead after McGregor pulled out with a broken toe. White then confirmed that McGregor would not fight until early next year. That left Chandler with a decision to make. He could either continue waiting as he had done, with no guarantee that McGregor would not pull out. Alternatively, Chandler could take another fight.

Chandler On McGregor

Chandler went for the latter option as he will rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. He lost their first encounter in 2021, giving him an incentive to take the match. His aim is to take a step closer to winning the UFC Lightweight Title. McGregor said the Chandler fight could still happen, something Michael has confirmed. But he had no frustration with McGregor, who has kept him waiting. 

“You guys see the way he lives his life, you guys see the Tweets, you guys see the media machine, and the constant attention that Conor is. And me, being the guy on the other side, I’m just a quieter guy by nature when it comes to not trying to put myself on the headlines nonstop and not trying to put myself in the conversation all the time. I’m not mad at him at all. I wish Conor the best. He’s earned every right to be in the position that he is. He’s earned every right to do what he wants to do and operate the way he wants to operate,” Chandler said 

Chandler’s Career

However, there is an argument that Chandler wasted the best moments of his career waiting for McGregor. He is now 38 years old and has only had five UFC fights to his name. He has also missed out on paydays he could have secured by being more active. A title would make any McGregor fight much bigger.

But there was a risk that a loss would end hopes of getting the McGregor fight if the demand for it suffered. Chandler has now moved on to face Oliveira, but still has an eye on McGregor. The Irishman has said he is desperate to remain active, as he still has two fights left on his UFC deal. Chandler still hopes to be one of those who gets that fight. 

“Conor McGregor is still not off the hook. Conor McGregor’s road back to the UFC still goes through Nashville, Tenn., and Michael Chandler. We must finish “TUF 31.” It has to happen. We’re at the same weight class. It was too long of a buildup for it not to happen,” Chandler stated 

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