UFC CEO Dana White isn’t concerned about Michael Chandler waiting for his fight with Conor McGregor to happen.
The anticipated matchup between “The Ultimate Fighter 31” coaches McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) was initially set to take place in the fourth quarter of this year. However, McGregor’s entry into the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool was delayed, pushing the timeline as he is required to have six months and two clean tests before being cleared for competition.
McGregor, who hasn’t fought since suffering a broken leg in July 2021, finally joined the testing pool in early October, marking his highly anticipated comeback.
After revealing that negotiations were ongoing for an April return, McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh of SBG Ireland, stated that the date had again been pushed back to the summer.
While much attention has been on McGregor, the frustration from Chandler’s side has started to surface. White, however, assures that Chandler, who has been out of action for over a year, can afford to be patient.
“The good thing for guys like Chandler, and you know there’s a lot of sh*t talk about fighter pay and all that other sh*t – you don’t see these guys hurrying up to fight,” White said on a recent episode of the “Full Send Podcast” with the Nelk Boys. “Jon Jones takes off for f*cking years. Chandler can hang out and wait for f*cking Conor. When you think about Chandler, Chandler was fighting for f*cking Bellator, right? Now Chandler can just sit around and take his time and wait for Conor however long it takes, so these guys are all in good positions where they can wait for the right time, the right fight.”
White did not completely commit to Chandler getting the McGregor fight, but he expressed interest in the matchup, stating “we’ll see” and emphasizing “the timing of when it goes down.”
“When you actually think about the fight – Chandler vs. Conor is a fun fight,” White said. “A fun f*cking fight.”
Amid concerns about McGregor’s return to UFC competition, White guaranteed that it will happen in 2024, saying, “Yes, 100 percent. (McGregor) fights next year.”
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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