Michael Chandler Offered UFC Title Fight, Calls Out Conor McGregor

UFC 303 kicked off Saturday and was supposed to feature the return of superstar Conor McGregor. McGregor was set to face Michael Chandler after the two men served as coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2023.

Learn more: Conor McGregor reveals the terrible injury that led to UFC 303 fight being cancelled

Unfortunately, McGregor suffered an injury that forced him to pull out of the fight, leaving Chandler on the sidelines, looking for his own UFC return. Chandler has been waiting a long time for a chance to face the Irish superstar, but he has now revealed that he has been offered a brand new fight.

Chandler took to X to announce that the UFC had offered him a title fight against Islam Makhachev in October. According to the post, “I was offered @MAKHACHEVMMA in October – but if @TheNotoriousMMA’s pinky toe is ready by September, let’s make the sphere. The biggest sporting event in the history of sports!!!! @RiyadhSeason #ufc306.”

No other insiders like Ariel Helwani or Jon Anik have confirmed this fight offer, but Chandler wouldn’t necessarily have a reason to lie about the offer. While fighting McGregor would be huge for his career, getting a title shot from Chandler would be even bigger.

Chandler last fought in the Octagon on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281, against Dustin Poirier. He lost in the third round via rear-naked choke.

Chandler’s title fight is a bit confusing, considering he is currently 1-3 in his last four fights. After making his UFC debut in January 2021 and dominating Dan Hooker en route to a first-round KO/TKO victory, he was immediately offered a title shot against then-champion Charles Oliveira in May 2021. Unfortunately, he lost via second-round KO/TKO.

Despite this loss, Chandler will face Justin Gaethje in November 2021 and Tony Ferguson in May 2022, winning only against Ferguson. Although he was an elite fighter, Ferguson has not been the same fighter for many years.

Chandler’s only win is against Ferguson, although he hasn’t shied away from challenging some of the best fighters in the lightweight division. It would be a little weird if he got a title shot, but on the other hand, Makhachev has also beaten everyone in the lightweight division.

What makes Chandler’s message even more confusing is that he’s still looking to fight McGregor rather than challenge Makhachev for the title in October. The UFC is scheduled to hold a fight at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 14, and there are a number of fighters vying to make it.

McGregor has a broken toe, which could keep him out for a few more months, but hopefully he’ll be ready to fight at UFC 306 at The Sphere. Chandler continues to want to fight McGregor simply because he knows it would catapult him into the stratosphere if he won – but so would taking the title from Makhachev.