Sam Sports

As a proud Australian of Irish and Māori descent. I usually don’t feel any sympathy to any team or fighter going against any of my nationalities but in this case, I have an exception.

Poor Michael Chandler. The former 3x Bellator champion who had a great start to his UFC career by knocking out top 10 Lightweight contenders (at the time) Dan Hooker in the first round on his UFC debut (being the co-main for Poirier vs McGregor 2) he was able to get the opportunity to fight the biggest superstar in Mixed Martial Arts, Conor McGregor, after being selected as the rival trainer for McGregor in The Ultimate Fighter 31. The unfortunate MMA star had to wait over 2 years for McGregor and the UFC to be ready for this fight and we all thought that day would come next Sunday 30/06/24 (Saturday 06/29/24 Vegas Time) at UFC 303. Alas, it wasn’t to be.

McGregor picked up an injury days before the scheduled Press Conference in Dublin leaving everyone in doubt whether the fight would still go ahead or not only to be confirmed by the UFC President last Friday announced that the fight has been postponed replacing the fight with Pereira vs Prochazka 2 (Which I certainly don’t mind at all) leaving Michael Chandler having to wait…..again!

So, what does Chandler do now? Does he wait for another couple of months with the possibility of fighting McGregor then or does he take a fight now and hope they reschedule for the end of the year? My opinion is that he waits…again! I’m about 80% certain that if Chandler fights someone McGregor won’t take that fight as out of the two Chandler would be the most active fighter (that being fighting twice in 2 years then fighting once in 2 years like what would be with McGregor). There is no definite answer on whether McGregor even returns at all (judging from the latest Instagram posts he’s in no rush). Michael Chandler will need to decide quickly whether he wants money or a title because at the age of 38 and with a UFC record of 2-3 he can only do one.