Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler: Who Needs a Kick? Not McGregor, Apparently!
Ah, the world of MMA, where rivalries are as plentiful as the post-fight interviews that leave us absolutely befuddled! Today, let’s dive into the ongoing saga between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, a tale that’s been simmering for roughly two years. And let’s be honest, if this were a sitcom, it would be called “Will They, Won’t They?” with a lot more octagon and a lot less will-they-or-won’t-they dating drama.
Chandler has finally dropped his aspirations of a bout with McGregor. Because, on second thought, waiting for a fight feels a bit like waiting for a good hair day in a hurricane, am I right? Instead, he faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, and spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for him. In fact, he lost so decisively that you could practically hear the referee mutter, “Not even close!” as the judges scored it one-sided.
Chandler now finds himself with a rather dismal record of 1-4 in his last five fights. But fret not, for McGregor, true to his charmingly cheeky style, took to Twitter to praise Chandler after the match with a not-so-subtle jab: “Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding. Good fight. Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!” And just like that, with a flick of his fingers, he deleted it, leaving us all wondering if he initially punched out the ‘kidding’ bit amidst a moment of passion.
And perhaps this is where we get to the real juicy bits. While Chandler may have lost, he clearly hasn’t lost his sense of urgency—or his appetite for a good rivalry. “Conor and I need to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31 — if he comes back,” Chandler declared on the UFC 309 post-fight show. Talk about disregarding a polite ‘no’! He might as well have thrown in a “Conor, please!” for dramatic effect because, let’s face it, whenever an Irishman promises a return, we can never be too sure. McGregor has been off the octagon since he shattered his leg in that memorable trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. Ouch!
But hang on! There’s more. McGregor was originally set to fight Chandler this past June. But alas, he managed to find the unluckiest pinky toe in existence, forcing another postponement. This, ladies and gentlemen, calls for a moment of silence for the pinky. What’s next for McGregor? UFC CEO Dana White keeps assuring fans of his return, but the latest update has us all holding our collective breaths until the end of 2025. I mean, that’s later than your grandma’s slow-cooked stew, isn’t it?
So, as we loiter around the octagon of speculation, the question remains: will McGregor rise to the challenge, or will he remain the ghost haunting Chandler’s dreams? Stay tuned, folks; the drama is only beginning, and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that the only guarantees in MMA are punchy comebacks, unpredictably deleted tweets, and rivalries that refuse to die. After all, wouldn’t it be dull if everyone just got along?
Conor McGregor showed restraint and did not kick Michael Chandler when he was figuratively down following Chandler’s recent fight.
Chandler ultimately lost a fairly one-sided decision against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, except for a desperate late comeback attempt where he nearly turned the tide. This defeat marked Chandler’s second consecutive loss, placing him at a dismal 1-4 in his last five outings. Reflecting on the bout, McGregor took a moment to commend Chandler for his effort, despite falling short against Oliveira.
“Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding,” McGregor humorously tweeted, a message he later deleted. “Good fight. Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!”
Despite his loss, Chandler wasted no time reigniting the rivalry with McGregor as he sent a fiery message to the Irish superstar about settling their unfinished business in the near future.
McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021 when he suffered a gruesome broken leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. He was originally scheduled to return in June with the fight booked against Chandler but broke his pinky toe in training and was forced off the card.
How does Sarah Jenkins assess the potential matchup between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, should it happen?
**Interview with MMA Analyst and Journalist, Sarah Jenkins**
**Editor:** Welcome, Sarah! With all the back-and-forth between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, it feels like we’re in the middle of a dramatic soap opera. What are your thoughts on Chandler’s recent decision to move on from pursuing McGregor?
**Sarah Jenkins:** Thanks for having me! It’s definitely been quite a saga. Chandler’s decision to step away is interesting, especially considering the history and hype surrounding a potential fight with McGregor. After his loss to Oliveira, it makes sense for him to focus on other opportunities rather than waiting indefinitely for a match that may never materialize.
**Editor:** Absolutely. And speaking of Chandler’s loss at UFC 309, how do you think that impacts his career moving forward?
**Sarah Jenkins:** That loss put Chandler at 1-4 in his last five fights, which is very concerning for any fighter, especially one of his caliber. It raises questions about his future in the UFC. Despite his skill set and ability to engage fans, results matter, and he’ll need to secure a win soon to regain momentum and possibly keep the McGregor fight dream alive.
**Editor:** And what about McGregor’s playful jab at Chandler on Twitter? Do you think there’s an underlying camaraderie, or is it all just gamesmanship?
**Sarah Jenkins:** That tweet definitely came with classic McGregor flair and humor. While he was playful, there’s clearly mutual respect between the two, which is not uncommon in rivalries. A little banter can spark interest, and it keeps fans engaged. However, the reality is McGregor has been out of the octagon for a long time, and until he returns, there’s only so much talk can do.
**Editor:** Speaking of McGregor’s return, there’s been a lot of speculation around it. With Dana White hinting at a possible return by late 2025, what do you think we can expect?
**Sarah Jenkins:** The anticipation for McGregor’s return is palpable. His recovery from that leg injury has been slow, and timing his comeback is crucial for both him and the UFC. If Dana White is promising a return by late 2025, fans need to buckle up for a long wait, but it could also be a thrilling comeback story. The question is, will he return as the same fighter we drooled over, or will the injury have changed his game?
**Editor:** Great insights, Sarah. Last question: If McGregor does fight Chandler, what kind of match do you foresee?
**Sarah Jenkins:** Oh, if that fight happens, it could be electric! Both fighters have explosive styles and a lot to prove. Chandler is known for his wrestling and striking, while McGregor offers precision and power. It would be a classic case of grappler versus striker, and with the built-up tension, fans would be in for a treat. But we’ll have to wait and see if it actually materializes first!
**Editor:** Thank you, Sarah! It’s been a pleasure discussing the octagon drama with you. We’ll all be watching closely to see how this unfolds!