“Running my own race!” Michael Chandler ready to move on from Conor McGregor and chooses new opponents

The last time Michael Chandler was in active UFC competition, he was prepping against Dustin Poirier at UFC 282 in November 2022. After he lost the bout via a third-round rear-naked choke, he shelved himself for bigger, better money fights. Or, in other words – Conor McGregor. Unfortunately for him, the real ‘notorious’ Slim Shady never showed up.

The entire chaos of McGregor getting injured and the UFC 303 collapse remains fresh in everyone’s memory. While Chandler took the high road at first, he seemed to be running out of patience. With McGregor being back on a ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin vest routine and chugging beers at BKFC, it’s anyone’s guess why. Hence, Chandler, 38, is veering to other better options.

I am running my own race, and I’m continuing to move forward. I am at the point now where we are looking at all the options and not just fighting Conor…Max (Holloway) is one of the top ones on that list…Justin Gathje, fight of the year 2021, that’s another one. Me and Max would absolutely make some bloody, violent magic inside an Octagon…
Michael Chandler in an Exclusive interview with Lucky Block ( ›luckyblock.com/en; H/T: SBNation Network)

An “optimist by default,” Michael Chandler says December has him and a ‘Notorious’ comeback written all over it. However, his career is not hinging solely on that. His scraps against Poirier and Justin Gaethje were pure tactile slugfest. Hence, he wants a similar matchup with the current 155-pound and consensus heavy-hitter BMF Max Holloway. Subsequently, this isn’t the sole time he has teased such a matchup.

Holloway made his return to the lightweight class after five years, similarly on a bleed from Poirier. He finished Gaethje in a buzzer-beating KO moment at April’s milestone UFC 300 PPV card and has been a top draw since then. Currently, he aims for the 145-pound gold at UFC 308 on October 26. Given how big a name he has gotten, ‘Iron’ also has other options in mind.

Michael Chandler reveals the most likely opponent he could face

Chandler’s first choice outside of Conor McGregor is the current BMF champion, Max Holloway. Holloway, though, faces featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in his next billing. However, the American lightweight does not feel he is out of options. The three-time Bellator lightweight champion was the leading brand face after all.

Michael Chandler reveals the most likely opponent in place of Conor McGregor (Source: X/boxemag.com)

He is currently going on a sturdy 2-3 stat while solidifying a reputation as an all-around fighter. To that end, with McGregor engaging in his usual antics, Michael Chandler wants former rival Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira next.

The most realistic option for me if you look at the landscape and you consider everything is Charles Oliveira. I love the rematch with Charles…Me and Charles for the number one contender spot. I beat Charles, knock him out in the first round, then all of a sudden I’m sitting at the number one contender spot.
Michael Chandler further said