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Michael Chandler spent nearly two years waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor to materialize. The two coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 in early 2023. They were matched up to headlined UFC 303 but McGregor withdrew from the bout with a toe injury.
Last September, Chandler gave up on a fight against McGregor happening and accepted a bout against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. He lost to Oliveira by decision and is lined up to take on Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 on April 12th.
On Thursday, McGregor hinted at possible retirement while speaking at the BKFC 70 Post-Fight Press Conference.
“I’ve got two fights under contract (with the UFC). I’m in negotiations. Last week something happened to me. I went to the White House and my heart bleeds for my country right now. So, there’s a lot of stuff going on back home,” McGregor said.
“I’m happy with what I’ve done. There’s something else for me that’s in my gut right now, so that’s kind of where I’m going. Greatness doesn’t rush, also. Greatness does not rush.”
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Chandler reacted to the news of McGregor potentially retiring from fighting during an interview with The Schmo. “He’s making that push for President of Ireland. We’ll see how true it is, how real it is, or how much of a publicity stunt that it is.
“As you guys can see, obviously, we had the TUF 31 deal. Waited for Conor for a little bit. Got the fight booked. He pulled out of the fight. Who knows if he’s ever coming back, but you can see by my actions, fighting Oliveira in November and now Paddy in April, I’m not sitting around waiting for Conor,” Chandler said.
“He knows his road back to the UFC goes through me. We have to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31. We still have a contract with both of our names on it even though he was not a man of his word and showing up. First time he has ever pulled out of a fight was against me in his entire career. I don’t think he wants that to be his legacy. However, if he does, I wish him well in his presidency run in Ireland. But if he does, he has to fight me.”
