Conor McGregor pushed for his UFC 329 comeback fight to be against Michael Chandler.
‘Notorious’ will return from a five-year layoff against Max Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11.
The former dual-weight UFC champion was originally supposed to return against Michael Chandler, whom he coached against on The Ultimate Fighter 33, before their June 2024 fight fell through due to an injury.
Does Conor McGregor have a chance against Max Holloway?🫣
Conor McGregor will finally return at UFC 329 after over 5 years out of action! But is it too late?🤔
Why Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler isn’t happening
Michael Chandler has suffered defeats to Charles Oliveira and Paddy Pimblett since his UFC 303 fight with Conor McGregor fell through.
MMA manager Audie Attar recently revealed that by the time his star client was ready to return from his broken toe, the UFC didn’t like the matchup anymore.
“Conor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler,” Attar told MMA Junkie. “He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout.
“Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it. At the time, it just didn’t make sense for the UFC, but it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future.
“Michael has a great fight ahead of him at the White House, and we wish him the best. We want him to succeed. It can become a reality.”
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Who is Michael Chandler fighting next?
Michael Chandler will compete on the once-in-a-lifetime UFC White House card on June 14.
It was originally believed that he would headline the unique event alongside Conor McGregor.
However, the former three-time Bellator champion will face another KO artist at Donald Trump‘s official residence.
A win over lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy would make a McGregor vs. Chandler matchup more appealing to the UFC brass.
That’ll be easier said than done. Chandler is a big underdog ahead of his fight with ‘One Shot’.
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