American mixed martial artist Michael Chandler has finally broken his losing streak, securing a victory at the RAF 03 event over the weekend. This win comes after a tumultuous period marked by a cancelled super-fight and consecutive losses, reigniting his campaign for a long-awaited clash with Irish superstar Conor McGregor.
From UFC 303 Cancellation to a Rocky Path
The much-anticipated bout between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor was officially scheduled for June 2024 at UFC 303. Contracts were signed, and preparations were in full swing. However, the fight was scrapped when McGregor suffered an injury, leading to his subsequent 18-month suspension. This forced the potential showdown to be pushed back to February 2026, when McGregor's suspension officially ends.
Following the cancellation, Chandler's fortunes inside the cage took a hit. He faced defeats against both Paddy Pimblett and Charles Oliveira, extending a difficult phase in his career. His victory over Chad Mendes at RAF 03 was therefore significant, marking his first win since May 2022 and snapping a three-fight skid.
Chandler's Victory Speech and McGregor Call-Out
After his hard-fought win, Chandler took to social media to celebrate. While he did not directly call out McGregor this time, he made it clear their fight is an inevitability. “There’s a simple reason why I didn’t call out Conor [McGregor]…I’ve done it enough. The fight’s already happening…he wants to fight me. He’s brought in guys to his training camp to mimic my style,” Chandler stated confidently.
This assertion points to ongoing, albeit indirect, preparations for their future encounter. Chandler believes McGregor is actively training for him, signalling that both fighters see the bout as a definitive future event.
McGregor's Focus and UFC's Plans
On the other side, McGregor's coach, John Kavanagh, indicated that the former two-division champion is currently concentrating on the potential White House UFC event. While nothing is finalized, McGregor is considered a strong contender for the historic card. UFC CEO Dana White has also expressed his reliance on McGregor's star power, though he clarified that no concrete discussions about his return will occur until at least February of next year.
Even if McGregor headlines the Washington event, his opponent remains undecided. This leaves the door open for numerous possibilities, but Chandler's recent comments firmly place his name in the mix for a blockbuster fight in 2026, if not sooner.
For now, Michael Chandler has successfully reset his trajectory with a crucial win. The road to a McGregor showdown remains long, winding through the end of a suspension and the UFC's future matchmaking, but Chandler's message is clear: the fight is not a matter of 'if,' but 'when.'
