Chandler: UFC Offers Title Shot Against Makhachev, Still Waiting for McGregor

UFC contender Michael Chandler has revealed that the promotion has offered him a fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Chandler was set to make his return to the octagon this past Saturday in a UFC 303 main event in Las Vegas against Conor McGregor. However, the Irish fighter pulled out of the fight after breaking his pinky toe during training. It was the first time in McGregor’s career that he had pulled out of a scheduled fight.

The UFC appears to be looking to reschedule the Chandler-McGregor fight, but has not set a date. McGregor has said the injury will take a few weeks to heal.

Despite the promotion offering him an opportunity to win the title, Chandler appears to remain hopeful that a fight between himself and the former two-division champion can still happen.

I was offered @MAKHACHEVMMA in October – but if @TheNotoriousMMA The little toe is ready by September, let’s make the sphere. The biggest sporting event in the history of sport!!!! @RiyadhSeason #ufc306 pic.twitter.com/STUUFns2Hp

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024

Chandler, 38, has been out of action since being submitted by Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022. “Iron”’s last victory was an impressive front kick knockout over Tony Ferguson at UFC 274.

Makhachev recently improved his record to 26-1 after successfully defending his title at UFC 302 by submitting Poirier in the fifth round. The Russian fighter recently poked fun at McGregor’s injury on X, suggesting he should have stayed on the card.