Conor McGregor has long been the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), known for his charisma and fighting prowess. Production Eagles has kept him on the sidelines since the leg break in July 2021. Such depth leads to undetermined futures in the UFC landscape, particularly for fighters such as Michael Chandler. While McGregor’s status as a superstar remains unchallenged, Chandler appears to be shifting his focus to a new contender: Paddy Pimblett.
The longer we go, the more McGregor’s absence is felt. This absence has given other fighters time to rise up and prove themselves as prospective stars in the promotion. Significantly, none of the UFC’s current champions were champions when McGregor last fought. This really drives home just how different things are now since the last time he walked onto the Octagon.
Even in his inactive state, McGregor lives a hazy lifestyle built upon his very successful career in the octagon. His wealth allows him to explore interests beyond fighting, including Hollywood ventures that have often captured media attention for both positive and troubling reasons. He is still a three-time UFC champion, a designation that speaks to his past success in the sport.
A few weeks ago, McGregor was officially signed as a coach for Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” — opposite Chandler. The unusual pairing raised plenty of eyebrows and immediately sparked debates over who would win in a theoretical matchup. For reference, this fight was scheduled for 6/29/24 initially. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated match has been called off after McGregor experienced a serious toe injury. Chandler, for his part, has been outspoken about wanting to fight McGregor only when he’s 100 percent ready to go.
“Conor McGregor! You gotta come back and fight somebody!” – Michael Chandler
Chandler has proven to be one of the most fun lightweights on the planet. He’s definitely looking forward to pushing McGregor for the title. He’s just as focused on the up-and-coming Pimblett. Known as “Paddy the Baddy,” Pimblett has captured the attention of fans with his dynamic fighting style and charismatic persona. As he continues to chart his own course, Chandler believes he can raise the ante to a whole new level with a fight against Pimblett.
“I am the most entertaining lightweight on the planet! But I want to up the stakes, Conor! I want you at your biggest! I want you at your baddest! And I want you at your best! You and me at 170 this summer, this fall, this winter!” – Michael Chandler
This new focus on Pimblett marks another step in the ever-changing competitive landscape within the UFC. While McGregor recovers, he too is plotting his next move. Chandler’s attention on fresh challengers would be a sign of a move in the right direction for the lightweight division.
Chandler’s first fight with the bigger but green American phenom Pimblett is the most popular fight you’ve never seen, possibly in history. Currently Chandler sits as a small betting favorite at -160 per ESPN BET. The matchup promises to be an electrifying event that showcases two contrasting styles: Chandler’s aggressive wrestling and striking against Pimblett’s unorthodox submission techniques.
UFC president Dana White has confirmed increasing such interest in confirming future matchups between McGregor and Chandler. While exact dates and places are still to be determined, White promised fans some really cool stuff in the works coming soon.
“I do not have a date or a location for that. But we will announce it soon.” – Dana White
As McGregor continues to careen through his recovery and Hollywood aspirations, Chandler’s strategy is a smarter recognition of the way the winds are blowing in MMA these days. If McGregor does return to competitive fighting, he may find himself facing not just Chandler but an emerging cohort of fighters ready to seize their moment in the spotlight.
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