MMA

Dana White says Michael Chandler will not be Conor McGregor’s return opponent, McGregor responds

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Michael Chandler will not be fighting Conor McGregor next, so says Dana White.

For nearly two years, Chandler has been waiting on a fight with McGregor. After numerous rumored dates and a full season as coaches opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter, the fight finally got scheduled for UFC 303 this past June. However, just a few weeks before the event, McGregor withdrew from the bout, citing a toe injury. In lieu of finding a new opponent for Chandler, a new main event stepped in with the plan being to re-book the McGregor vs. Chandler fight in the future.

Except now, it may not be happening at all.

On Friday, UFC CEO Dana White revealed to Spinning Backfist that Chandler is done waiting for McGregor and will not be McGregor’s comeback opponent, whenever “Notorious” does return to the UFC.

“Is Chandler still going to be his opponent,” Robbie Fox as White about McGregor.

“No. No,” White responded. “...Chandler said, ‘I’m done waiting. I want to fight.’”

Chandler did not immediately respond to comment when MMA Fighting reached out.

After withdrawing from UFC 303, McGregor assured Chandler and fans that the fight would take place in 2024, however, White has remained adamant that the former two-division champion will not fight in 2024, saying an early 2025 return is more likely. Meanwhile, Chandler teased a possible fight announcement earlier this month, though he did not mention an opponent.

Chandler has not competed in almost two years, since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. Meanwhile, McGregor has been out of action for over three years, following his catastrophic leg injury suffered against Poirier at UFC 264.

**UPDATE**

McGregor responded to White’s announcement via social media on Friday evening, mocking Chandler and saying that he is simply waiting for a date to be booked.

“Chandler saw that takedown getting stuffed and mauled and officially dipped. Little Fat p*ssy. I’m at the hard rock hotel Florida for the bare knuckle tonight. Got tested earlier today by DFSI. Give me my f*cking date!”

 

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