I was offered Makhachev in October

Michael Chandler says he has been offered a fight against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in October but is prioritising a September fight with Conor McGregor, if he is fit.

American Chandler, 38, was due to face McGregor at UFC 303 last week but the bout was cancelled after the 35-year-old Irishman withdrew due to a broken toe.

Chandler challenged McGregor to a rescheduled fight at UFC Noche on September 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

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

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

Former featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor has insisted he will be back soon from his injury, but UFC president Dana White said he is unsure if McGregor will return.

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McGregor added that he felt “deep mental pain” seeing UFC 303 go ahead without him, as Alex Pereira defended his light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka.

Chandler has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier in November 2022, ahead of a fight against McGregor.

A fight with Russian Makhachev would represent his second UFC title shot after losing to Charles Oliveira in 2021.

Makhachev, 32, defended his belt against Poirier last month, while number one lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is currently serving a nine-month suspension for an altercation with a fan.