LAS VEGAS – His trip to “Sin City” for International Fight Week was for pleasure, not business, but Michael Chandler said he's learned that's OK.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) was scheduled to face Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in the main event of UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout had been 18 months in the making, but McGregor pulled out with a broken toe.
McGregor was due to return from a three-year hiatus after breaking his leg in July 2021. It is his first time withdrawing from a UFC fight and he has been heavily criticised by critics for withdrawing, having been harshly critical of opponents and rivals who have done the same in the past.
This fight was going to be the biggest fight of Chandler's career and arguably the biggest prize.
“It hasn't been that tough, to be honest,” Chandler said of the constant postponements, date speculation and then McGregor's eventual cancellation of the bout. “It's international fight week and I took photos, shook hands and met over 1,000 fans this weekend, all talking about the flights they took, where they came from, the tickets they bought – all of them here to see me fight Conor.”
“So obviously I'm constantly reminded of it, but as an athlete I've become better at distinguishing it and I don't think it's affected me as much as most people think. That's the way the world goes. That's how life is. You get beaten down, you get disappointed and how you persevere in those situations is the true measure of a man.”
McGregor has said he wants to fight in August or September, and UFC has the bout scheduled for September at The Sphere.
Chandler seemed to like the idea as well.
“The Spheres are amazing,” he said. “They're 10 weeks away. I'm not a doctor, but I know that the pinky injury won't take that long to heal, and then it'll be a big deal. It feels like a one-off event to me.”
“Dana is touting this as the biggest event in UFC history, one that may possibly never happen again. If they want to achieve the numbers they want, this fight between me and Conor seems like a good fit. I'm not in a position to make that decision, but UFC knows that I always have my work shoes on and that I'm ready to fight tomorrow if they want me to.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 303 event hub.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and other content with fellow mixed martial arts fans.
