Michael Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, recently shared his thoughts on the long wait for a fight against Conor McGregor, revealing how this time off affected both his personal life and business ventures. While the rivalry between the two fighters has been a subject of intrigue for the MMA community, Chandler’s decision to wait for McGregor’s recovery wasn’t just about patience—it became a pivotal moment in his career.
Why Did Michael Chandler Wait for Conor McGregor?
For months, Chandler had been looking forward to a high-profile fight with the Irish superstar, Conor McGregor. However, due to McGregor’s recovery from a broken pinky toe, Chandler found himself in a holding pattern. In an interview with journalist Kevin Iole, Chandler explained that while his UFC career had been moving at lightning speed, the waiting period introduced an unexpected lull.
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Chandler’s first 26 months in the UFC were marked by success—six training camps, five fights against top contenders, and accolades including Fight of the Year and Knockout of the Year. Yet, he hit a pause button when it came to the potential McGregor showdown. “I had six training camps, five fights, every single fight guy in the top five, Fight of the Night, Fight of the Year, Debut of the Year, Knockout of the Year, crazy fast. Then all of a sudden, there was this lull,” Chandler shared.
Despite this career lull, Chandler emphasized the internal struggle of wanting to keep moving forward but being unable to control when or if McGregor would be ready for a fight. “I can’t make Conor get into the Octagon. I can’t make the UFC book the fight,” he said.
The Unseen Benefits of Waiting for McGregor
While it’s easy to focus on the frustration Chandler may have felt waiting for McGregor’s recovery, he also acknowledged the benefits that came with the unexpected downtime. The time off allowed Chandler to focus on ventures outside of MMA, such as his successful tequila and peanut butter and jelly brands.
This period of downtime also gave Chandler the opportunity to reconnect with his family in ways that the constant cycle of training camps did not. “I spent a lot of time with them. Fell back in love with just being a father, being a human, being a man,” Chandler reflected. “My businesses were thriving. They all [got] built. Everything grew exponentially. My fight career was on hold, right? But it really wasn’t!”
Chandler’s decision to wait also allowed him to cultivate a deeper relationship with his wife and children, further strengthening his personal life. Although his professional career appeared stagnant during this time, Chandler’s perspective on the situation evolved as he saw the growth in his businesses and family life.
Why Michael Chandler Took the Fight Against Charles Oliveira
After waiting for McGregor to recover, Chandler eventually decided to take matters into his own hands and accepted a fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. This decision came after Chandler realized that the UFC would continue to thrive regardless of whether he faced McGregor in the future.
During a candid moment on the ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’ podcast, Chandler made a statement that resonated deeply with fans and fellow fighters. “The UFC needs nobody. The UFC will continue to build stars, continue to put on shows every single weekend [and] continue to keep pushing the envelope and growing whether they have Conor, me, or anybody else,” he said. “There’s a freedom in knowing that you’re disposable. You don’t get too high on yourself because success is rented every day and that rent is due every single day.”
This realization allowed Chandler to shift his focus and embrace the opportunity to fight Oliveira, a move that ultimately paid off for him. It also reinforced his belief that the UFC’s success doesn’t depend on any one fighter, including McGregor.
What’s Next for Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor?
Despite the long wait, Chandler hasn’t forgotten about his rivalry with Conor McGregor. The fight between the two still looms large, especially with McGregor’s return to action in 2025 confirmed by UFC president Dana White. The tension between the fighters continues to build, and fans are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of their rivalry, potentially in a showdown on The Ultimate Fighter season 31.
However, Chandler’s future is no longer solely tied to McGregor. He has taken charge of his career and will continue to fight top contenders in the lightweight division, beginning with his upcoming match against the number one contender in November 2024.
FAQ: Michael Chandler’s Decision to Wait for McGregor
Q1: Why did Michael Chandler wait for Conor McGregor?
Chandler waited for McGregor due to UFC’s decision to let the Irish fighter recover from an injury. He wanted the high-profile fight with McGregor, but the wait allowed him to focus on personal life and business ventures.
Q2: Did Chandler benefit from the wait?
Yes, Chandler’s businesses flourished during the wait, and he spent quality time with his family, reconnecting with them and finding fulfillment outside of fighting.
Q3: Is the fight between Chandler and McGregor still happening?
Yes, despite the wait, the rivalry between Chandler and McGregor is still very much alive, and the fight is expected to happen in 2025.
Q4: What did Chandler learn during the wait for McGregor?
Chandler learned that the UFC will continue to grow and thrive regardless of individual fighters. This realization helped him move forward with his career and focus on opportunities like the fight with Charles Oliveira.
Q5: When will Conor McGregor return to the UFC?
Conor McGregor is expected to return to the UFC sometime in 2025, with speculation about a potential matchup against Chandler.
