Is Michael Chandler at fault for failed Conor McGregor fight?

Blaine Henry

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Publish Date: 11/14/2024

Appearing on the Ariel Helwani Show, Michael Chandler took full ownership of the Conor McGregor fight not going down.

Speaking to Uncrowned’s lead personality, Chandler admitted that his time out of the sport waiting on the biggest star was his problem, and his problem alone. “Iron” Mike is still pursuing that fight despite being booked to face Charles Oliveira this weekend at UFC 309.

Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor were scheduled to fight on Jun. 29th at UFC 303. McGregor pulled out due to broken toe and Chandler, tired of waiting to fight, booked a fight with Oliveira to get back to fighting.

Chandler taking ownership of failed McGregor fight

Michael Chandler is taking full ownership of not fighting Conor McGregor and sidelining his career for two years. Now 38 years old, time is certainly not on Chandler’s side. This weekend, he will be back from his two week layoff but still has a red panty night in his sights.

“It’s about extreme accountability as well," Chandler told Ariel Helwani. "I could have, at any given time, the first moment that Hunter [Campbell] called and said, ‘Hey, we thought it was going to be September, July, August, whatever.’ The first moment he called and said, ‘We’re going to push it to this. It’s not happening until at least here.’ Any one of those moments I could have said, ‘Hey Hunter, I’m done. I’m not waiting any longer.’ It is on me. I am in control of my own career.”

Will Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor fight?

There's no definitive answer on whether it would actually happen, but both Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor have stated that they wish to settle the score between the two’s The Ultimate Fighter season left unfinished.

On the contrary, Chandler is now facing Oliveira in a rematch this weekend on the undercard of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. McGregor has also openly welcomed a fight with top five ranked Dan Hooker as well.

Saying they want to fight and actually fighting are two entirely different things. Chandler is open for it, sure, but getting McGregor out of bed requires enough motivation and a big enough check to boot.

When discussing Conor McGregor’s next UFC fight, there's actually three other far more likely options for him.