Michael Chandler explains decision to stop fight against Conor McGregor

It's been over 22 months since Michael Chandler fought in the UFC, largely because we've been waiting for Conor McGregor to compete.

Time is up and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has officially moved on.

On Friday, the former lightweight title challenger confirmed that his next fight will be against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. It will be a rematch of their fight at UFC 262 in 2021, where Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) captured the vacant lightweight title by knocking out Chandler in the second round.

Chandler is aware of the risk involved in challenging Oliveira again, but describes the decision as “the ultimate bet on yourself.” In two videos posted online, Chandler explained his reasoning.

“I think you guys have forgotten who Michael Chandler is in the last year or so,” Chandler said in a YouTube video. “From October 2020, I signed with the organization in September, from October 2020 to November 2022, in a 25-month period, I've done six training camps, one replacement fight for the world championship fight. Five fights in 25 months. Four fight of the night or performance of the night as a bonus. Two fight of the year candidates, a fight of the year against Justin Gaethje, a KO of the year against Tony Ferguson, a debut of the year against Dan Hooker.”

“…That's why I'm taking the fight against Charles Oliveira. Why? Because I took a little detour to pursue this thing. The chance to be on 'The Ultimate Fighter.' … I've gotten more publicity, more exposure, more of everything in the last year and a half than I would have gotten with three fights, and now I have the opportunity to have a title fight.”

When news of Chandler's decision to accept another fight reached McGregor, the Irishman responded with a fiery tweet.

“Chander saw that takedown get blocked and ripped and was officially stamped,” McGregor wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Little fat p*ssy.” I'm at the Hard Rock Hotel in Florida tonight for the bare knuckle. Got tested by the DFSI earlier today. Give me my damn date!”

Chandler was undeterred by McGregor's words, but felt inspired to elaborate further and posted another video on Instagram in which he gave a dismissive response and explained in more detail why he would rather keep fighting than wait for a fight that may never happen.

“I'm not even going to respond to Conor's stupid little tweet pretending I dimmed,” Chandler said in an Instagram video. “The simple fact is you are the most unreliable human being to ever appear in the mixed martial arts space.”

“So what am I going to do? I'm going to fight Charles Oliveira. Why am I going to fight Charles Oliveira? First of all, it's a tough fight. Second of all, it's a rematch. It's a story of redemption for me. The guy who stole from me before — rightly so, in a fair fight — he stole my dreams and destroyed my dreams of becoming UFC champion.”

A win over Oliveira would keep his name on the shortlist of UFC lightweight title challengers, and Chandler is essentially convinced that if he gets his hand raised, the world would be his oyster.

“Now I have the opportunity to fight Charles Oliviera and become the No. 1 contender. Then I have options,” Chandler said. “If Conor finally gets his life in order, if he finally gets a few sober days, a few days where he really trains and feels really good, and if he can finally, finally make good on his promise to make the greatest comeback in the history of combat sports, if he can finally raise the cash, then I will fight Conor after I beat Charles Oliveira.”

“Or, Islam Makhachev, you will be next in 2025, and I will be the champion at the end of 2025.”

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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Chandler explains his decision to quit the fight against Conor McGregor