While Michael Chandler is still hopeful that he could be the one to welcome Conor McGregor back to the UFC, it sounds like he's moving on from that 'Notorious' payday.
Just a few months after dropping a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, the popular American lightweight is beginning to plot his next move.
So, who does 'Iron' Michael Chandler want to fight in his next UFC fight, and when does he plan to return to the octagon?
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler on a possible lightweight fight against Paddy Pimblett
Speaking to Sean O'Malley's head coach Tim Welch, Michael Chandler revealed that there are two names on his shortlist: Armenian wrestler Arman Tsarukyan and British superstar Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett.
“I definitely think it's possible at this point,” Chandler said of the possibility of throwing 'The Baddy,' teasing that he likes the match not only from a promotional standpoint, but stylistically as well.
“Paddy is definitely a possibility – it's a big fight, it's a fun fight, and it's a fight that I like stylistically. Not to take anything away from him, but if you've fought Poirier, fought Gaethje, fought Oliveira, fought Dan Hooker – fighting Paddy Pimblett sounds like a fun day at the office compared to some of those. [other names].”
'And I like him, I do. Paddy has a great brand, I love the way he carries himself. He gets a little fat in the offseason – that's about the only thing I'd change about him – but I think it would be fun, and I'd like to talk to him.
Pimblett also recently teased a fight with Chandler; shared on his YouTube channel in December that he is “coming for that belt, so I'm looking for higher ranked fighters.
“I said yes, the opponent said yes, I just have to get things signed. So you all know the score,” he said, adding, “And I'll see you at the top” — that's Chandler's famous catchphrase.
But when could we see 'Iron' back in the octagon?
Michael Chandler offers return timeline during injury rehabilitation
Later in the interview with Welch, Chandler revealed that he suffered several injuries in his loss to Charles Oliveira and should be ready to return sometime around June 2025.
“Coming back, I was a little beat up after my last fight. I don't like to talk about 'in the fight' because it sounds like I'm making excuses, but I did something to my knee in the first round and after that I just couldn't get back on my feet.
“I finally fell [over] like four times in that fight I dislocated my thumb because I fell [funny] and it was just a weird, weird fight – so I have a couple of little injuries that I'm rehabbing through.
That rehab process should end within the next few months and then Chandler will be ready to fight (hopefully Tsarukyan or Pimblett) in the middle of the year.
“International Fight Week sounds fun, and whoever they throw at me, 15 minutes or 25 minutes, Arman or Paddy [I’ll be ready].”
As of January 2025, Chandler is ranked No. 7 in the lightweight division, Pimblett is ranked No. 12, while Tsarukyan retains the No. 1 spot following his withdrawal from UFC 311.
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