Ali Akbar Rosady
The protracted saga involving mixed martial arts icons Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler has long been a focal point of speculation within the UFC, raising questions about whether their highly anticipated clash will ever materialize. The possibility of this fight has recently been reignited following McGregor’s latest unfortunate setback inside the octagon.
This past Saturday, at UFC 329, Conor McGregor made his much-anticipated return, marking his first fight since July 2021, when he suffered a severe leg injury in a loss to Dustin Poirier. His comeback bout against rival Max Holloway, however, was tragically cut short, lasting a mere 69 seconds. McGregor sustained another leg injury early in the contest, ultimately forcing him to withdraw. Despite this latest setback, McGregor has publicly expressed his determination to recover and fulfill the final fight on his current UFC contract. The specifics regarding the timing, venue, and opponent for this potential swansong remain undetermined.
Amidst the swirling discussions about McGregor’s future, former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has voiced a strong opinion, suggesting that McGregor has a moral obligation to face Michael Chandler, a matchup that has been years in the making. Adesanya believes this is the only logical and just resolution for McGregor’s final contractual obligation.
Speaking on the Precision podcast with Demetrious Johnson, Adesanya recounted his observations of McGregor following the abbreviated UFC 329 main event. "I did see [McGregor] when he was sitting down and he looked distraught," Adesanya stated, describing McGregor’s demeanor. "He looked like, a lot of weight on him. He kind of picked at his glove for a second, so I thought, ‘Is he going to retire?’ I don’t think so, but a fight with Max again after a five-year layoff, you’re fighting at the top of the heap. You’re fighting one of the best to do it. That’s a hard fight to come back against."
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Adesanya further elaborated on his reasoning, asserting that given the circumstances, only one opponent truly makes sense for McGregor’s return. "I say, if he does decide to come back later on, Chandler would be the only fight that makes sense," he concluded, emphasizing the historical context and the unresolved narrative between the two fighters.
Michael Chandler, a decorated athlete who previously held the Bellator lightweight championship three times, transitioned to the UFC in 2021. His tenure began with immediate impact, securing a vacant 155-pound belt shot against Charles Oliveira in only his second promotional appearance. Despite a valiant effort, he lost the championship bout. Subsequent losses to top contenders like Justin Gaethje further solidified his reputation as an exciting, high-stakes fighter.
Following these high-profile contests, Chandler shifted his focus, making no secret of his desire to face Conor McGregor. His campaign for the matchup was relentless, involving numerous interviews and persistent social media call-outs. The narrative intensified when both fighters were selected as opposing coaches for Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, a role traditionally followed by a fight between the coaches. This arrangement strongly suggested that Chandler was being positioned as McGregor’s highly anticipated comeback opponent.
The fight was officially booked to headline UFC 303 in June 2024, promising to be one of the year’s biggest events. However, the much-anticipated clash was tragically derailed when McGregor was forced to withdraw due to a toe injury. This cancellation left Chandler in a difficult position, having spent two years largely inactive, patiently awaiting the lucrative and career-defining McGregor fight. His dedication to securing this matchup resulted in a significant period of competitive dormancy.
Adesanya believes that considering Chandler’s unwavering commitment and the sacrifices he made, it is only fitting that he be chosen for McGregor’s final UFC fight. "He kind of owes Chandler that fight," Adesanya remarked, articulating his view that McGregor has a debt to settle. "He honeydcked him for, like, two, three years while Chandler was waiting for the big money fight. So now, after The Ultimate Fighter*, after all those times, it would be good for them to kind of settle the score because they even have a little bit of—not beef, but they’ve got some heat there. That would be the fight I think he should come back to."
The immense star power of Conor McGregor means he typically has the leverage to handpick his opponents when he is fit to compete. However, the current landscape is complicated by the uncertainty surrounding his injury recovery timeline and legitimate questions about his competitive capabilities after successive setbacks and extended layoffs. These factors suggest that his next matchup might be determined as much by practical timing and availability as by the preferences of his management or the UFC’s matchmakers.
From a strategic standpoint, if McGregor is looking for an opportunity to conclude his career with a victory, Adesanya contends that Chandler represents a highly suitable opponent. "I think Chandler would be the only fight to make right now," Adesanya stated, elaborating on the tactical advantages for McGregor. "It’s a favorable matchup and also it’s a winnable matchup for Chandler as well fighting a guy like Conor coming off a long layoff and not really getting fulfilled in this fight."
Adesanya further speculated on McGregor’s mindset, asserting that the Irishman would not wish to end his illustrious career on the note of the abrupt UFC 329 loss. "Knowing a guy like Conor, from what we’ve seen, he wouldn’t want to go out like that [at UFC 329]," Adesanya added. "I don’t think he’d want to go out like that. I think he’d want to have even just one more before he calls it a career, because to retire off that is just so anticlimactic for a guy who’s done so much in the game and for the game and then that be your last show. Nah. One more fight, Chandler."
While advocating for the McGregor-Chandler bout, Adesanya also acknowledged Chandler’s professional obligations. "Chandler should still fight in the meantime, but if he has other options before McGregor comes back then go for it," he advised, recognizing the need for active fighters to maintain their careers. However, he concluded with a firm reaffirmation: "Chandler is owed that fight, so that should be Conor’s next fight and, if possible, his last fight. Then he can do anything he wants."
Around the Octagon: News Briefs
- UFC 329 Aftermath: The event saw a major main event letdown with McGregor’s injury. Following the fight, McGregor confirmed plans for surgery and reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his final UFC contract obligation.
- Injury Update: Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen displayed a severe leg injury, suspected to be a torn hamstring, sustained during a submission attempt against Mario Bautista at UFC 329.
- Fighter Reactions: Reigning Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley was reportedly visibly dismayed watching McGregor’s unexpected loss at UFC 329. Lightweight Paddy Pimblett secured an impressive submission victory over Benoit Saint Denis, executing a move he had reportedly never attempted before in competition. Rapper Machine Gun Kelly publicly expressed satisfaction regarding McGregor’s injury at the event.
- The Ultimate Fighter: Michael Bisping reportedly made significant personal sacrifices to assist a fighter in making weight during the ongoing Season 34 of The Ultimate Fighter.
- Upcoming Bout: Magomed Ankalaev (20-2-1, 1 NC) is scheduled to face Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1) at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25.
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