Michael Chandler has been waiting for years for his potential fight against Conor McGregor but he is seemingly running out of patience as he has highlighted two alternative opponents he is targeting.
Following their appearance on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, Michael Chandler was confident that he would get to share the Octagon with Conor McGregor soon after, but unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition.
‘The Notorious’ comeback was then scheduled to take place at UFC 303 this past June, but just a few weeks out from the date, the former two-weight world champion withdrew due to a broken toe.
Michael Chandler discussing alternative options with McGregor’s status unknown
With the fight having fallen through and still yet to be re-booked, ‘Iron’ Mike is seemingly beginning to run out of patience and is losing optimism that the fight will eventually get re-booked.
Both he and McGregor have hinted online recently that the fight is being targeted to take place at UFC 310 in December, however, the promotion is still yet to announce their plans.
Not only that, but McGregor continues his antics outside of the cage, and at the moment, is evidently more focused on his role with BKFC as he continues to promote their events. At their recent event in Sturgis, South Dakota, the Irishman entered the ring to hype up the fans and chugged a beer in the center of the ring.
Although the 38-year-old is losing faith, he believes the situation isn’t as bleak as people are making out.
“The sentiment from Dana (White) doesn’t sound as bleak as a lot of people would think. It doesn’t sound as bleak as a lot of people think, given Conor’s antics with the Stone Cold Steve Austin vest and drinking Forged Irish Stout at Bare Knuckle FC, but we’ll see,” Chandler told Lucky Block.
Despite that, Chandler is now targeting alternative opponents in case the fight with McGregor takes too long to come to fruition, as he is adamant his career doesn’t hinge on a potential fight with the former two-weight champion.
“I am running my own race, and I’m continuing to move forward. I am at the point now where we are looking at all the options and not just fighting Conor… I’ve always felt that if the Conor fight didn’t happen I’m going to be just fine, and I will put butts in seats.
“Max (Holloway) is one of the top ones on that list when it comes to who I would love to share the Octagon with. Justin Gathje, fight of the year 2021, that’s another one. Me and Max would absolutely make some bloody, violent magic inside an Octagon,” Chandler continued.
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Michael Chandler reveals the most likely opponent if not McGregor
Although Chandler’s first choice outside of McGregor is the current BMF champion, Max Holloway, he is booked to fight Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title at UFC 308, making that potential fight unlikely.
With that, the 38-year-old revealed who he thinks the most likely opponent for him would be if the eventual fight with McGregor didn’t come to fruition.
“The most realistic option for me if you look at the landscape and you consider everything is Charles Oliveira. I love the rematch with Charles.
“Me and Charles for the number one contender spot. I beat Charles, knock him out in the first round, then all of a sudden I’m sitting at the number one contender spot and I get to choose whether I fight Islam (Makhachev), or Conor, and why not both?” Chandler claimed.
Charles Oliveira is also in a weird position as he is coming off a loss to Arman Tsarukyan and is unsure of his next move. Although the two met back in 2021, a rematch could make sense at this point in their respective careers.
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