A major turning point in the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler saga: a fight between Islam Makhachev is proposed

Michael Chandler claims he has been offered a shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev while his fight against Conor McGregor is postponed indefinitely.

The McGregor vs. Chandler fight was announced for February 2023, but no official date was confirmed until April, when it was revealed the pair would headline UFC 303 on June 29.

However, McGregor was ruled out due to a broken toe two weeks before the event, and no new date has been revealed.

Chandler now appears to have a decision to make. The 38-year-old American tweeted on Tuesday (July 2): “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!!!!”

Chandler was referring to the UFC’s September pay-per-view at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the first sporting event scheduled at the new venue. However, UFC president Dana White recently ruled out postponing McGregor vs. Chandler until August, September or October.

The August pay-per-view in Perth is already set to focus on the fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, with McGregor thought to be out of form for September.

“I need new (targets),” Makhachev tweeted after Chandler’s message, to which the American replied: “I’ve been (targeting) your ass for 8 years.”

Islam Makhachev (L) is the UFC lightweight champion and the promotion's number one pound-for-pound fighter (Getty Images) — Islam Makhachev (L) is the UFC lightweight champion and the promotion’s number one pound-for-pound fighter (Getty Images)

But the Russian replied: “You are not a reliable guy, one tweet from your master (McGregor) and you will run away. The champion needs a real opponent.”

Makhachev, 32, was referring to Chandler’s willingness to wait until now for a fight with McGregor, despite numerous delays.

Chandler last fought in November 2022, losing to Dustin Poirier via submission. McGregor, 35, last fought in July 2021, when the Irishman broke his leg in a second straight loss to Poirier.

Meanwhile, Makhachev last competed on June 1, retaining the lightweight title – previously held by McGregor – with a submission of Poirier.

Conor McGregor (left) faces Michael Chandler on the set of “The Ultimate Fighter” (@TheNotoriousMMA via Twitter)

The champion is set to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in October, unless Chandler rises to the occasion, five years after beating the Russian-born Armenian on points. Tsarukyan was making his UFC debut when he lost a close fight to Makhachev in 2019.

The 27-year-old was recently suspended for nine months for appearing to punch a fan at UFC 300, but he can reduce that ban to six months by recording an anti-bullying message for the Nevada State Athletic Commission.