Michael Chandler is looking to make up for lost time after UFC 309.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) returns for the first time since November 2022 when he rematches Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in the Nov. 16 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
He spent a year waiting to fight Conor McGregor after filming Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and after finally getting a date at UFC 303 in July, the fight was scrapped after McGregor withdrew due to a broken pinky toe.
Chandler decided to move on, but still has McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in his sights.
“The title is the No. 1 goal, but there is some unfinished business,” Chandler told CBS Sports. “Chandler vs. McGregor, ‘TUF 31,’ that chapter needs to close at some point. Conor wants that fight. He’s talked about it openly in public, in interviews. Obviously I want that fight. I’m not focused on it right now. I’m focused on Charles, but it’ll be interesting.”
Chandler is also eyeing other mega fights in the lightweight division – a title fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), as well as Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), who will now be permanently competing at 155 pounds.
“You’ve also got to remember, Islam is fighting probably in January, could be late January,” Chandler said. “He’s going to go into Ramadan in February, all of March, won’t be able to go training camp til April, won’t be able to fight til June, July.
“I’m not trying to wait til June or July. So Conor could sneak in there. We could see Chandler vs. Oliveira, Chandler vs. Conor, Chandler vs. Islam, Chandler vs. Max – the craziest four- or five-fight run in a 12-month period that anyone’s ever seen.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.
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