29 January 2024 , 09:57
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Michael Chandler is willing to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 300 in April.
The rivals have been due to fight for almost a year since they were announced as coaches for the most recent series of the UFC's reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter. But a December date came and went before McGregor announced they would be fighting in Las Vegas on June 29.
But UFC CEO Dana White shot down those claims before McGregor took to social media to say: "McGregor on 300 seals the deal." UFC 300 will be held on April 13 and does not yet have a main event, and Chandler was quick to accept the challenge from the Irishman. "I accept. See you soon @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC300," he wrote.
White is unlikely to sanction the fight for April having hinted that McGregor is not ready to return. Asked about McGregor fighting at International Fight Week in June, he said: "No. When Conor is ready to fight, you know we'll announce it. That's what we'll do."
White previously said Chandler is in a financial position to wait for as long as is necessary for McGregor. "The good thing for guys like Chandler, and you know there’s a lot of s*** talk about fighter pay and all that other s**** – you don’t see these guys hurrying up to fight," White said on an episode of the “Full Send Podcast” with the Nelk Boys.
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"Jon Jones takes off for f***ing years. Chandler can hang out and wait for f***ing Conor. When you think about Chandler, Chandler was fighting for f***ing Bellator, right? Now Chandler can just sit around and take his time and wait for Conor however long it takes, so these guys are all in good positions where they can wait for the right time, the right fight."
McGregor has not fought since he broke his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021 while Chandler was last in action when he was submitted by the same opponent in November 2022.