Chandler vows to terminate McGregor's fighting career.
Michael "Iron" Chandler, currently ranked No.5 in UFC's lightweight division, has expressed a strong desire to face off against Conor McGregor in a potential UFC event. The proposed date for this highly-anticipated fight is June 29th, 2026, a date that both fighters seem to find appealing.
However, it's important to note that no official agreement or contract for this fight has been made public for June 29th or any other date. The previously scheduled fight for UFC 303 in June 2024 was canceled due to McGregor's injury and has not been rescheduled since.
Chandler, who is 37 years old, has been fighting in the UFC since 2021. His UFC record stands at 2-3, with his most recent loss being against Dustin Poirier on November 13, 2022. Prior to joining the UFC, Chandler had a successful career in Bellator, where he won the lightweight title three times.
McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, has suggested a fight with Chandler on June 29th. Known as "Notorious," McGregor has fought at featherweight (145 lbs), lightweight (155 lbs), and welterweight (170 lbs), while Chandler has mostly competed at lightweight (155 lbs). If the fight happens, lightweight would be a likely candidate, but no specific details about a weight class for this potential matchup have been announced.
Chandler believes that McGregor doesn't want to fight at lightweight because he wants to appear bigger than he is. He has also called out McGregor for a welterweight fight. In response, McGregor talked about a middleweight fight to show his dominance. However, Chandler doubts that the fight will take place at the middleweight limit.
The American fighter is seeking revenge against McGregor for an incident that occurred last year. He believes he still has plenty of fuel left in his tank and is confident that he can handle McGregor. Chandler hopes to secure a title fight after dealing with McGregor.
As we wait for the official confirmation of this potential fight, the focus is on the possible White House event in 2026 where Chandler hopes to face McGregor. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on this highly-anticipated matchup.
[1] MMA Fighting. (2023). Michael Chandler calls out Conor McGregor for welterweight fight. [online] Available at: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/1/23509340/michael-chandler-calls-out-conor-mcgregor-for-welterweight-fight
[2] MMA Junkie. (2023). Michael Chandler wants Conor McGregor fight at White House event in 2026. [online] Available at: https://www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/2/1/23553352/michael-chandler-conor-mcgregor-white-house-event-2026-ufc
[3] ESPN. (2023). UFC 303: Chandler vs. McGregor fight canceled due to McGregor's injury. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35467880/ufc-303-chandler-vs-mcgregor-fight-canceled-due-mcgregors-injury
[4] Bleacher Report. (2023). Michael Chandler Wants Conor McGregor Fight at White House Event in 2026. [online] Available at: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10105919-michael-chandler-wants-conor-mcgregor-fight-at-white-house-event-in-2026
[1] Michael Chandler's ambition extends beyond the UFC's lightweight division, as he has expressed interest in mixed-martial-arts combat against Conor McGregor, even considering a welterweight matchup in response to McGregor's earlier suggestion.
[2] Beyond the debate over a lightweight or welterweight fight, Michael Chandler has his sights set on a potential showdown with McGregor at a White House event in 2026, a proposed encounter that has stirred excitement among MMA fans.
