In recent times, Michael Chandler has welcomed substantial buzz. UFC 303’s headliner was to be his return against Conor McGregor. Mixed with the essential “Notorious’ effect, their return had already capped off $20 million in projected live gate ticket sales. The former Bellator champion has also put on exciting lightweight fights. However, Islam Makhachev doesn’t see him as a title contender.
Michael Chandler has made it a clear priority to rebook the McGregor fight whenever possible. It’s the money fight, after all. A spectacular appearance in a fight on September 14 for Noche UFC seems like a good shot. However, the American fighter says there’s an offer on the table for a lightweight title shot. He also baited the Combat Sambo practitioner for a skills test.
Good old fashioned passionate American @MizzouWrestling beats sambo all day. @MAKHACHEVMMA…I’ve been 🎯 your a** for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA…
Michael Chandler via X (@MikeChandlerMMA)
This lines up with CEO Dana White’s claims on the Jim Rome show (@jimrome/X) that he’d do anything to keep ‘Iron’ in the equation. However, a 155-pound title fight in favor of a “Notorious” payday seems a little advanced. Given that Chandler has not fought since his 2022 loss, it does not help. Hence, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t open to the potential challenge:
You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away. Champ needs real opponent.
Islam Makhachev via X (@MAKHACHEVMMA)
I don’t get taken down in the open, I don’t get taken down on the cage…I don’t get taken down, period. #andNEW
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024
His aspiring for the silver strap is one thing; shooting for undisputed legacy gold is another. Makhachev recently snagged a fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. This makes his winning streak and P4P scalings something to boast about. This could very well be a social media takeover by Ali Abdelaziz, but anyway, the disinterest in Chandler, who lost his last bout is profound.
Islam Makhachev rubbishes Michael Chandler for loyalty to ‘master’ Conor McGregor
It all starts and ends with consensus combat sports superstar Conor McGregor. He isn’t the top pound-for-pound fighter and holds no more title straps. Yet, what he did for the sport brought it into the mainstream media popularity pockets. People still either want to engage him or be on his undercard.
Islam Makhachev taunts Michael Chandler on bondage to his Mac-leash (Source: facebook.com › @thenotoriousmma/IMAGO)Chandler is waiting on ‘Mac,’ who’s nursing a broken pinky toe. He’d probably bail on an alleged 155lbs title scrap with Islam Makhachev for this money fight. Hence, the Dagestani doesn’t find Michael Chandler to his flavor. Despite their five-round, 170-pound matchup falling apart, the American still awaits Conor McGregor. The lightweight champ taunted him thoroughly on this particular trend.
You don’t need a pinkie toe for a fight lol. Chicken 🐓
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 21, 2024
And my condolences to Michael ‘Hachiko’ Chandler 😀
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 21, 2024
“Hachiko,” the illustrious Japanese Akita, is known for his unwavering loyalty to his owner. According to legend, Hachiko faithfully waited for his deceased owner at Tokyo’s Shibuya Station for more than a decade, never to see him again. Sounds familiar? Give a ‘Mac’ shaped howl and raise a hand if it does.
This is Hachikō. He was an Akita born on Nov. 10, 1923 in Japan. He was sold to Hidesaburo Ueno, a scientist at the University of Tokyo. Ueno named him Hachi after the number 8, which is considered lucky in Japan, and the two became inseparable… pic.twitter.com/g6lCANat3u
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) July 13, 2023
Despite Ueno’s absence, Hachi continued to wait for him at the station every day. He bounced between homes, including some miles from Shibuya, before settling with Ueno’s former gardener. No matter the distance, Hachi returned to the station daily to wait patiently for his owner. pic.twitter.com/tfP031wJMe
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) July 13, 2023
Again, the ingenuity and inventive taunt, with much proper grammar, spell “Abdelaziz.” However, it’s likely the champion feels the same. No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan would be next in line, probably for a return in October. The Armenian fighter now faces a NAC-imposed nine-month suspension. While Makhachev may need to scramble for a different matchup, Chandler might really be far from it.
