Conor McGregor’s manager has indicated that efforts were made to secure a fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler for the Irishman’s comeback bout. However, the UFC currently does not have this matchup in its immediate plans.
McGregor is now scheduled to face Max Holloway in a five-round welterweight main event at UFC 329 on July 11th. Meanwhile, Chandler is set to compete against the powerful Brazilian striker Mauricio Ruffy on June 14th as part of a significant event at the White House.
During an interview with MMA Junkie, Audie Attar, McGregor’s manager, stated that “The Notorious” felt Michael Chandler deserved the fight, especially given the lengthy wait and the events of the past year. Attar mentioned that the UFC, however, was not keen on the matchup at that time. He also conveyed that fans shouldn’t give up hope for the McGregor vs. Chandler fight, suggesting it could still become a reality.
“Conor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler,” Attar explained. “He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it. At the time, it just didn’t make sense for the UFC, but it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future. Michael has a great fight ahead of him at the White House, and we wish him the best. We want him to succeed. It can become a reality.”
Attar further elaborated on their initial focus: “We pushed for Chandler. That was our main focus initially. Different names surfaced in the conversations and in the negotiations, and I think from a Max Holloway perspective, we know we got one on Max, and he wants to get that back. We know they faced each other when they were 145ers, and we know that Max is game and he’s going to put on a great performance. We just felt it was the right matchup. One of the things, obviously, with being out for the time Conor has been out for, it just made sense to do it at 170, right? Max was game right away and willing to step up and take the matchup at 170.”
The anticipated bout between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor was initially slated for the main event of UFC 303 after they served as opposing coaches on TUF 31. However, an unfortunate toe injury forced McGregor to withdraw, leading to the cancellation of the fight.
“Iron” Chandler has since experienced two consecutive losses. In contrast, McGregor has been inactive for nearly five years, with his return fight against “Blessed” Holloway set for July.
Prior to the announcement of the White House fights, both Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler had publicly expressed their belief that their fight would take place on the South Lawn on June 14th, but UFC leadership ultimately had different plans.
