Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC comeback has hit another roadblock, and the Irishman isn’t taking it quietly. His planned return fight against Michael Chandler has been shelved, as Chandler has opted to move on and face Charles Oliveira this November instead of continuing to wait for McGregor’s recovery.
The bout between McGregor and Chandler was first announced in February 2023, marking McGregor’s first fight since suffering a broken leg in July 2021. However, despite all the anticipation, the fight was never locked into a specific date. UFC president Dana White had hinted at a potential June showdown, but McGregor’s unexpected injury—a broken toe this time—threw a wrench into those plans.
With no official date on the horizon and McGregor still healing, Chandler, who hasn’t fought since November 2022, finally made the call to move on. He will now face Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 309, slated for November at Madison Square Garden. The two had met in 2021, where Oliveira knocked out Chandler to win the lightweight title.
Chandler confirmed the news in a video on his YouTube channel, while Dana White made it clear that McGregor remains a future opponent for the American fighter. But for now, Chandler is focused on Oliveira.
Meanwhile, McGregor took to social media to vent his frustration. In a fiery tweet, McGregor wrote: “Chandler saw that takedown getting stuffed and officially dipped. Little Fat P***y.”
The 36-year-old fighter, currently in Florida for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event, added: “Got tested earlier today by DFSI [Drug Free Sport International]. Give me my f***ing date!”
McGregor’s last two fights saw him lose back-to-back against Dustin Poirier, including a devastating leg injury in their July 2021 bout. Chandler, 38, is also coming off a loss to Poirier, having been submitted in the third round of their November 2022 encounter.
As for UFC 309, the Chandler vs. Oliveira rematch could serve as a key fight on a card that might also feature Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic.
Despite the setback, McGregor remains eager to get back into the octagon. Whether that happens before the year is out or pushes into 2024 is still up in the air, but one thing is certain—McGregor is as vocal as ever and ready to make his return, date or no date.
