Michael Chandler angles for Conor McGregor at Sphere again – and threatens to flip for Islam Makhachev title shot

Maybe Michael Chandler is going on the offensive in his fight with Conor McGregor.

That fight, heretofore, has been a seemingly never-ending stream of speculation and boy-who-cried-wolf-isms between the two. A date finally was booked for this past Saturday at UFC 303 until McGregor pulled out with a broken baby toe.

Now Chandler has implied a lightweight title shot has been offered to him in October – but that he’d be willing to pass it up if McGregor can make a September date at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

“I’ve been offered @MAKHACHEVMMA in October – but if @TheNotoriousMMA little pinky toe is ready by Sept, let’s do sphere. Biggest sporting event in history of sports!!!! @RiyadhSeason #ufc306,” Chandler posted.

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) and McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) have been booked in a fight that has been building for 18 months. McGregor was set to return from a three-year layoff after suffering a broken leg in July 2021.

It was the first time he has pulled out of a UFC fight. McGregor has said he’d like to fight in August or September, which lines up with the UFC’s Sphere date Sept. 14.

Gallery

Conor McGregor on the red carpet: Photos through the years

Gallery

Photos: Michael Chandler through the years

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.