Conor McGregor breaks silence on ‘mad little fellow’ Michael Chandler calling him out at UFC 309

Conor McGregor responded to Michael Chandler's call after a loss to Charles Oliveira in the UFC 309 co-main event.

Conor McGregor kept a close eye on the UFC 309 co-main event while Michael Chandler made his long-awaited return to the Octagon against Charles Oliveira. After being outpointed through the first four rounds of the fight, Chandler nearly pulled off an all-time great comeback in Round 5, including two slam attempts with Oliveira on his back.

It's been a three-year attempt for Chandler to lure McGregor back to fight him in the UFC. The two stars collided as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter and were set to headline UFC 303 in June before the event was canceled at short notice.

Despite the disappointing setback in his return, Chandler didn't lose any star power in his loss to Oliveira. After the fight, he took advantage of his mic time by calling out McGregor in his Octagon interview with Joe Rogan.

It didn't take long for McGregor to respond to Chandler's call on social media and he seems intrigued by rescheduling the fight in 2025.

Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

Conor McGregor cheers on Michael Chandler after UFC 309 loss

In a recent post on X, McGregor responded to Chandler's latest attempt to make their fight come to fruition.

'Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight. The crazy guy is Michael. I like them!” McGregor tweeted.

As of this writing, Chandler has not responded to McGregor on social media. Had he defeated Oliveira at UFC 309, it is uncertain whether Chandler would have called up McGregor in lieu of a lightweight title shot.

McGregor and Chandler were booked to headline UFC 303 in June before McGregor suffered a toe injury just weeks before the event. Chandler was not rebooked for another fight on the card, and rather than continue his long wait for McGregor, he opted to take the Oliveira rematch.

In addition to his McGregor activities, Chandler remains a potential contender for the UFC lightweight title. As for McGregor, he hasn't fought since a trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight. The crazy guy is Michael. I like them!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 18, 2024

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Dana White: Conor McGregor will return to the Octagon at the end of 2025

At the UFC 309 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White announced that the matchmakers expect a McGregor comeback in late 2025, but that it is possible he could return sooner. It was a long break for McGregor after breaking his leg against Poirier and undergoing a rigorous recovery.

Before the loss to Oliveira, Chandler had not competed since a loss to Poirier at UFC 281. After the loss to Poirier, he called out McGregor, which resulted in their TUF 31 coaching fight.

McGregor and Chandler are both looking to get back in the win column after a string of recent setbacks. Former two-division champion McGregor has lost three of his last four fights, with the only win during the stint coming against Donald Cerrone in 2020.

Chandler has become one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster since joining the promotion in 2020. He signed with the UFC in free agency after winning multiple lightweight titles in Bellator.

Chandler's persistence could ultimately pay off by luring McGregor back to the Octagon next year. In the meantime, until a formal announcement is made by UFC brass, the McGregor vs. Chandler matchup remains up in the air.

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