For now, Michael Chandler has missed out on his chance to fight Conor McGregor. But there might be a nice consolation prize waiting on him.
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According to the former Bellator lightweight kingpin, he has been presented with another opportunity to duplicate that accomplishment in the Octagon.
In a social media post, Michael Chandler claims that the UFC has offered him a title shot against Islam Makhachev in October. However, he still expressed a desire to make good on the oft-delayed McGregor fight suggesting they square off at UFC 306 a month earlier if “The Notorious” is ready to go after injury derailed their UFC 303 booking.
“I’ve been offered [Islam Makhachev] in October but if [Conor McGregor’s] little pinky toe is ready by Sept, let’s do sphere. Biggest sporting event in the history of sports!!!” he tweeted. The post featured a picture of Michael Chandler appearing over Las Vegas with a view of The Sphere.
An October date for Makhachev would align with UFC 308 which is scheduled to take place on Oct 26 from Abu Dubai, where he won and defended the belt in the same month of 2022 and 2023.
Following the post, Michael Chandler continued using social media to state his case for a title shot. Shortly after his original tweet, the NCAA All-American declared the “good old fashioned American” wrestling skills that he honed at the University of Missouri would defeat “sambo all day.”
He doubled down on his perceived wrestling advantage by stating he doesn’t “get taken down period” before another post showing a Makhachev with a surprised look on his face.
Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler Rematch Via X
An unexpected development was the involvement of Dustin Poirier. Michael Chandler responded to Poirier’s tweet volunteering to rematch Makhachev if number one contender Arman Tsarukyan isn’t available. Chandler urged Poirier to “retire man…we good.” Poirier was submitted by Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302 last month.
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Poirier returned fire with his own by calling him “muscle milk” and referring to his submission win over Chandler in November of 2022. “Choked your ass out and haven’t fought since,” he tweeted.
Chandler, who hasn’t competed since that UFC 281 bout, coached The Ultimate Fighter opposite McGregor with the intention of fighting him after the season’s conclusion. Multiple delays, including a dispute with USADA that led to the dissolving of its drug testing partnership with the UFC and a broken toe, have kept the matchup on ice.
Chandler, who held the 155-pound strap in Bellator for two separate stints, lost his lone championship opportunity in the Octagon at UFC 262 when he was submitted by Charles Oliveira in the second round.
