Superstar Conor McGregor recently withdrew from the UFC 303 PPV main event. He was set to headline the June 29 event against Michael Chandler. Peers and pundits have been scratching their heads as to what McGregor would do next. Meanwhile, ‘Iron’ knows what he wants next — the BMF title currently held by Hawaai’s Max Holloway.
Michael Chandler wanted to play spoiler in “Sin City” and ruin McGregor’s return event. Now, with the Irishman out with an undisclosed injury, he is stalled. The American lightweight hasn’t fought since his UFC 281 loss to Dustin Poirier in 2022. UFC 303 was set to be his five-round welterweight debut, barring which he now shifts focus to the BMF silver strap, possibly at lightweight.
Bravo. Mike. Foxtrot.
Michael Chandler teases via X (@MikeChandlerMMA)
For the uninitiated, “Bravo. Mike. Foxtrot.” is the NATO Phonetic for BMF. For the more tactfully initiated, it means a super fight with Max Holloway. The Waianae fighter returned to 155 after five years and scored an all-time violent knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. His well-rounded dominance put him at the No. 9 spot in the official UFC divisional rankings. Chandler sits two above in the lightweight division.
Bravo. Mike. Foxtrot.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) June 20, 2024
Hence, he couldn’t help but crave a matchup in an Instagram Live Q&A in April. He went candid about Max Holloway embodying the “Baddest of All” essence with his buzzer-beating showcase. While Chandler has taken the high road with McGregor, he has teased to jump the line and fight for title runs. Be it UFC gold or silver, ‘Iron’ wants in.
Michael Chandler speaks on potential Max Holloway fight
Chandler is not one to shy away from hardship. Contrary to what and how other peers are, the 38-year-old always aims for the biggest and best opportunities in MMA. His matchup with Conor McGregor was about to be as significant as it gets. Consequently, so is the BMF fight.
Michael Chandler will chase opportunities elsewhere, away from Conor McGregor & UFC 303 (Source: UFC.go.com/heavy.com)The UFC legacy belt has had storied chapters. Conversely, the silver belt has changed hands only a few times. The promotion has many tools that benefit from merchandising or promotional standpoints. Alexa Grasso’s Noche belt was one such. UFC 300’s “Adrenaline Unrivaled” gear-line and Venum Fight Kits were another. Even UFC 193: ROUSEY vs. HOLM at Etihad Stadium (2015) saw similar brand value merchandising.
The BMF isn’t like that. It’s the essence of fighters selling holy sh*t moments. To that end, Michael Chandler welcomes a BMF-shaped challenge:
Would I fight Max for the BMF belt? Absolutely…I think it’s no coincidence now that he and I are ranked closely together in the 155 division…Max embodies the BMF. Max created the most ‘Holy sh*t’ moment, the most BMF moment that we have ever seen…would love the opportunity down the line.
Michael Chandler via IG Live (Apr. 16, 2024 3:30 pm ET/ @mikechandlermma)
After his UFC 303 cancelation, Chandler finds the BMF moniker appealing again. The striker from Team Gracie Technics MMA would make a compelling and stylistic matchup for him. However, Max Holloway isn’t without options, unlike the former title challenger. Holloway could pursue a featherweight title clash against Ilia Topuria. As such, any potential BMF title fight will depend on which fight Holloway wants.
