Michael Chandler hits back at 'unreliable' Conor McGregor, confirms Charles Oliveira rematch at UFC 309
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Published 14/09/2024 at 12:00 GMT+1
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Michael Chandler has responded to Conor McGregor's claim that he "dipped" the pair's bout for The Ultimate Fighter 31, now set to take place in 2025. Instead, the 38-year-old will get his opportunity for revenge against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in November. Reacting to the news, McGregor was adamant that he would be ready for a fight in December, contrary to Dana White's previous announcement.
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Michael Chandler confirmed his next fight will be a mouth-watering rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, as the wait goes on for Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon.
McGregor took to social media in the early hours of Saturday morning, alleging that Chandler had “dipped” on the pair’s The Ultimate Fighter 31 contest.
UFC president Dana White had previously stated that the Irishman would not fight Chandler until 2025, much to McGregor’s displeasure.
In a four-minute monologue posted to Instagram, Chandler refuted McGregor’s claim, expressing his impatience at the southpaw’s unreliability.
“I'm not even going to respond to Conor's stupid little tweet acting like I dipped,” said Chandler. “The simple fact of the matter is, you are the most unreliable human being that has ever graced mixed martial arts.
“If Conor can finally get his house in order, if he can finally string together a couple of sober days, string together a couple of days where he's actually training and actually feeling good, and he can actually finally, finally make good on his promise of the greatest comeback in combat sports history.
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“If you can finally pony up, then I will fight Conor after I dispatch with Charles Oliveira. Or Islam Makhachev, you are next in 2025 and I will be the champion by 2025.”
McGregor’s earlier tweet read: “Chandler saw that takedown getting stuffed and mauled and officially dipped. Little Fat P****. I’m at the hard rock hotel Florida for the bare knuckle tonight. Got tested earlier today by DFSI. Give me my f****** date!”
Chandler was supposed to face The Notorious at UFC 303, more than three years after McGregor broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
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But a broken toe saw his June 2024 comeback cancelled and Chandler intimated that his would-be opponent backed out in fear.
“Me and my wife, me and the team, me and the UFC, we sat down, and I'm not going to tell you what they told me when Conor's return date was, but it was very, very easy for me to say, hell no, I'm not waiting for this anymore,” said Chandler.
“And I've been very hesitant to say that, but the man signed a cheque with his mouth that his behind could not cash.
“I truly believe that if Conor McGregor was lined up against anybody in the entire world whose name was not Michael Chandler, he would have showed up on June 29 but he didn’t.
“But here we are, that fight will still happen in 2025. We will and have to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31 but the simple fact of the matter is, I am a fighter.”
McGregor responded to the news in a calmer manner than his earlier social media post suggested, indicating that he would be ready for a fight in December.
“As far as Chandler rematching Oliveira, I’m happy with the date,” said McGregor at a Bare Knuckle FC event.
“It’s November. Maybe we can still do it after, if they’re not going to line me up until December, maybe January or February, one of these dates.
"Maybe we can still do it. I’m just a bit out of the loop with it. All I can do is carry on doing what I’m doing. I test under the testing administration, I train daily, and that’s it.
“Let’s see what happens. Hopefully it all comes to fruition.”
As for Chandler’s bout against Oliveira as UFC 309’s co-main event in New York, the 38-year-old was determined to get his revenge for the Brazilian’s victory to claim the lightweight belt in 2021.
“Why am I going to fight Charles Oliveira? Number one, it's a badass fight,” said Chandler.
“Number two, it's a rematch. It's a redemption story for me, the dude who already stole from me, rightfully so, in a fair fight, he stole my dreams, shattered my dreams of becoming UFC champion.
“Now I get the opportunity to fight Charles Oliveira, become the number one contender, and then I've got options.
“Get pumped up, boys and girls, the boy is back. The most exciting, electrifying guy that you ever see, step inside the octagon. Conor McGregor, you're a poser. Get your house in order.
“Charles Oliveira, I respect the hell out of you. I can't wait to compete against you. See you in 60 something days, God bless. See you at the top.”
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