Michael Chandler Offered New Blockbuster Fight As Conor McGregor Now Snubbed

Michael Chandler claims he was offered the chance to face a different opponent in a UFC title fight after his fight against Conor McGregor was recently postponed.

Chandler was scheduled to face McGregor at UFC 303 on Saturday, with the latter pulling out of the fight due to a toe injury he suffered in preparation.

Despite the back and forth between the two men, no postponement date has been confirmed.

Chandler claims he has now been offered the chance to face Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title fight later this year.

“I was offered Islam Makhachev in October – but if Conor McGregor’s pinky toe is ready by September, let’s do Sphere,” Chandler wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“The greatest sporting event in the history of sport!”

Chandler was referring to the UFC’s September 14 pay-per-view event at the brand new Sphere arena in Las Vegas.

Chandler has also continued to remain tight-lipped about a potential fight with McGregor, with the fight now in the works for a total of 18 months.

“I think we’ll know a lot over the next couple of weeks about how this is going to play out,” he added.

“I’ve gotten this question a lot over the last year, you know, about a timeline. Is there a specific date (to move on after McGregor)? When do you have to stop?

“When are you going to, you know, put a tagline in here. And I haven’t really thought about it, but I know some information is going to come to me very soon, and we’re going to figure it out.”

Chandler, a Tennessee native, also admitted that another UFC star could be an avenue he considers exploring after the disappointment over his proposed fight with McGregor.

“I think it’s common knowledge at this point that Max’s name has been mentioned in his last two weeks,” he added.

“I have a lot of respect for Max Holloway, and not just because he’s a bad guy.

“Max is the epitome of the guy who says, ‘Hey, I’m the guy who’s going to stand in the middle of an octagon, point to the center and raise his hands until one of us passes out. But I’m also a good guy.’ I have a lot of respect for him.

“I would love to go up against him. I guess it’s up to the public to decide whether or not I’m a BMF caliber guy. I have my opinions. I think I am, and I would love to share the Octagon (with him) at some point in my career.”

SPORTbible is on WhatsApp! We have launched a dedicated transfer news channel to send you the latest deals, rumours and more straight to WhatsApp and all you have to do to sign up is Click here to access our one-way broadcast channel for “SPORTbible News” to appear in the “Updates” tab on your WhatsApp.