Conor McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, has indicated that efforts were made to book McGregor’s return fight against Michael Chandler, but the UFC currently has other plans. McGregor is set to face Max Holloway in a five-round welterweight bout at UFC 329 on July 11.
Meanwhile, Michael Chandler is scheduled to fight Brazilian knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy on June 14 as part of a special event at the White House.
Fans Encouraged to Maintain Hope for McGregor vs. Chandler Showdown
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Attar stated that McGregor genuinely desired the fight with Chandler, feeling he deserved it after a prolonged wait and the complications that arose in 2024. However, the UFC was not inclined towards this matchup at the time, especially with Max Holloway readily available and willing to face McGregor at welterweight immediately.
Attar expressed optimism that the Chandler-McGregor bout could still materialize in the future. He commented:
“Conor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler. He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it. At the time, it just didn’t make sense for the UFC, but it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future. Michael has a great fight ahead of him at the White House, and we wish him the best. We want him to succeed. It can become a reality.”
Attar further elaborated on the team’s initial focus:
“We pushed for Chandler. That was our main focus initially. Different names surfaced in the conversations and in the negotiations, and I think from a Max Holloway perspective, we know we got one on Max, and he wants to get that back. We know they faced each other when they were 145ers, and we know that Max is game and he’s going to put on a great performance. We just felt it was the right matchup. One of the things, obviously, with being out for the time Conor has been out for, it just made sense to do it at 170, right? Max was game right away and willing to step up and take the matchup at 170.”
The potential fight between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor gained traction after they served as opposing coaches on TUF 31. The highly anticipated bout was initially slated for UFC 303 in 2024 but was canceled due to an injury sustained by McGregor.
Chandler has faced consecutive losses in recent fights, while McGregor has been inactive for nearly five years, with his return scheduled against Holloway in July.
Prior to the announcement of the White House event, both McGregor and Chandler had publicly expressed their mutual desire to fight each other on June 14. However, UFC officials Dana White and Hunter Campbell ultimately decided on different matchups.
