UFC fan favorite Michael Chandler wasted no time in reacting to Conor McGregor`s recent, unexpected hints about returning to fighting.
Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor`s careers will always be connected due to their time coaching opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter 31. However, three years after the show aired, a fight between McGregor and Chandler still hasn`t happened, despite numerous attempts to make it a reality.
The highly anticipated bout between Chandler and McGregor was scheduled for UFC 303 last June as part of the UFC`s International Fight Week lineup, but McGregor pulled out due to a toe injury. McGregor has not competed since suffering his second straight loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
In the meantime, Chandler has fought twice since he first began calling out McGregor in 2022, including his most recent defeat to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. After starting to lose hope that he would ever lure McGregor back into the cage, Chandler received a lifeline this week thanks to the former two-division champion.
Michael Chandler Responds to Conor McGregor’s Latest Comeback Teases
McGregor grabbed attention this week when he revealed a major condition for a potential return to the Octagon. In a recent tweet, posted in response to WWE`s successful WrestleMania event in Las Vegas, McGregor declared he would only come back to the UFC if he was booked to fight in a stadium venue.
UFC CEO Dana White is well-known for his reluctance to hold events in stadium venues. However, this has not stopped White and the UFC from considering less conventional options, such as the upcoming UFC 306 event at the Las Vegas Sphere in September.
In a follow-up post, McGregor reignited his years-long rivalry with Chandler, calling him out for `unfinished business` that needed to be settled inside the Octagon. Chandler was quick to respond to his rival`s latest remarks.
In a recent tweet, Chandler replied to McGregor’s callout.
“Unfinished Business Loading….” Chandler wrote.
Chandler is in a unique position after suffering his third consecutive loss to Pimblett earlier this month at UFC 314. Now clearly outside the lightweight title picture, Chandler could potentially return to competition later this year, either for another contender fight at lightweight or a high-profile, big-money matchup.
McGregor is in a similar situation, having lost three of his last four fights, including back-to-back defeats to Poirier. McGregor`s most recent victory came against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in 2020.
Conor McGregor’s Stalled Political Future Might Be a Catalyst Behind His Desired UFC Return
McGregor hinted at retiring from MMA last month during a Bare Knuckle FC press conference, suggesting his focus was shifting towards a potential campaign for Irish political office. However, a potential run for Irish president appears to have stalled in recent weeks, with McGregor acknowledging “stipulations” that have impacted his campaign`s ability to get off the ground.
Earlier this year, McGregor was reportedly in talks for a boxing match with Logan Paul before the UFC allegedly shut down the negotiations. As of now, McGregor remains under contract with the UFC, although it is uncertain if he is currently participating in the Drug Free Sport testing pool.
As summer quickly approaches, a potential McGregor vs. Chandler fight remains a possibility, offering a glimmer of hope after it had seemed like a lost cause. Only time will tell if the UFC matchmakers will finally solidify this matchup years in the making.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley