Michael Chandler continues to pursue the biggest fight in MMA.
The former three-time Bellator lightweight champion was first booked to face Conor McGregor in February 2023 – but almost two years later they are yet to trade blows in the UFC Octagon.
‘Iron Mike’ took an interim fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, and after losing by decision in November he once again set his sights on MMA’s greatest star.
Now Michael Chandler has reacted to McGregor chasing a fight against somebody else.
Michael Chandler puts the pressure on Conor McGregor
On Tuesday, McGregor shocked the world when he took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to reveal he’s ‘in preliminary agreements’ for his comeback bout.
The former dual-weight UFC champion claimed that he will take a boxing exhibition against YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul, who thought he was on the verge of knocking out Floyd Mayweather when they clashed three years ago.
Nothing official has been announced yet, but McGregor continues to talk up the crossover clash, which he believes could bag him another $100million payday and a new PPV record.
Chandler has been strangely quiet since it was revealed he may have missed out on his ‘Red Panty Night’.
On Saturday, he sent a message to McGregor after he tweeted along during Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s heavyweight championship rematch.
The Irishman wrote: “I pray for peace in the world and war in the ring!”
Chandler replied: “Ring, cage, mat, canvas whatever you want to call it. All you have to do is step up”
Ring, cage, mat, canvas whatever you want to call it. All you have to do is step up @TheNotoriousMMA https://t.co/ScYOSPpLKU
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 22, 2024
Michael Chandler eyes Conor McGregor replacement
Chandler understands that his fight with McGregor may never come off.
The 38-year-old recently named a surging lightweight star known for his sharp tongue as a potential alternative should McGregor end up boxing Paul.
“Paddy [Pimblett] versus myself is gonna happen at some point, I’m not sure when, but that’s definitely a fight that interests me,” Chandler told Lucky Block.
“It’s definitely a fight that would be fun for the fans. It would make people feel something. Paddy the Baddy, what he stands for, who he is, myself, what I stand for, who I am, both of our fight styles. Chandler versus Paddy, it sounds like a fun one, and it will definitely happen.
“Is it next? I don’t know, but it definitely could be. If Conor isn’t coming back then Paddy Pimblett is a great option but the London card [in March] might come too soon for us so maybe Vegas in the summertime.”