Michael Chandler News

Cole Shelton - June 11, 2026

Michael Chandler believes Paddy Pimblett will pull off the upset at UFC 329. Pimblett is set to take on Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 329 in Las Vegas in a pivotal lightweight fight. Pimblett is coming off an upset loss to Justin Gaethje for the interim belt and is the betting underdog against Saint-Denis.

Harry Kettle - June 10, 2026

UFC analyst Laura Sanko believes veteran Michael Chandler is under a lot of pressure heading into UFC Freedom 250. This weekend, Michael Chandler will attempt to snap his recent losing streak when he goes head to head with Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250. It’s an incredibly dangerous fight given the run that Ruffy has been on, but the former Bellator star has never been one to back away from a challenge.

Cole Shelton - June 4, 2026

Michael Chandler is still hopeful he will get a chance to fight Conor McGregor. Chandler had been holding out to fight McGregor in his return after the two coached TUF against one another. Yet, the bout didn’t happen, and now McGregor will be making his return against Holloway.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 6, 2026

Michael Chandler may be on his way to retirement soon if Chael Sonnen’s hunch proves to be correct. Chandler is scheduled to compete on the UFC Freedom 250 card on June 14. He will be facing Mauricio Ruffy in a bout that many believe was made to enhance the Brazilian bruiser’s stock. Some believe that Chandler might hang up his gloves depending on the outcome of the fight.

Harry Kettle - March 2, 2026

UFC veteran King Green has called for a major fight at the UFC White House event in the wake of his win over Daniel Zellhuber. When you talk about entertaining veterans in mixed martial arts, King Green is up there with the best of them. Regardless of who they put him in the cage with, he goes out there and fights his own style, and more often than not, he’s able to win over a fair few of his critics by turning back the clock and proving that he belongs in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 15, 2026

Michael Chandler thinks critics in the aftermath of Justin Gaethje’s win over Paddy Pimblett are just being negative. Gaethje and Pimblett shared the Octagon inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for a historic show. The two headlined UFC’s first event as part of the Paramount+ deal on Jan. 24. Gaethje had a fun slugfest with “The Baddy” on his way to a unanimous decision. “The Highlight” was able to batter Pimblett throughout the course of the fight.

Harry Kettle - February 5, 2026

MMA veteran Michael Chandler has explained why Ilia Topuria is a tall task for Justin Gaethje to overcome. As we know, Ilia Topuria is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, and Justin Gaethje is the interim champion after defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. So, it makes sense that the two will probably square off at some point later this year.

Harry Kettle - February 4, 2026

UFC veteran Michael Chandler continues to make his push for a place on the White House card this summer. When you think about action fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division, there are a couple of big names that come to mind. One man who tends to fly under the radar in that field, though, is none other than Michael Chandler, the man who made his switch over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship from Bellator a few years back.

Curtis Calhoun - January 22, 2026

UFC CEO Dana White doubled down on his disinterest in granting Michael Chandler his long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor. Michael Chandler has waited almost four full years since he initially called out Conor McGregor after a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281.

Curtis Calhoun - January 21, 2026

UFC star Michael Chandler admits he was blindsided by CEO Dana White’s recent remarks about a fight with Conor McGregor at the White House. Michael Chandler’s long wait for a fight against former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor seemed on the cusp of coming to an end later this summer, before UFC CEO Dana White intervened.

Curtis Calhoun - January 15, 2026

UFC superstar Conor McGregor has weighed in on Dana White’s viral remarks dismissing Michael Chandler as his comeback opponent. Almost five years removed from his most recent UFC Octagon appearance, Conor McGregor is targeting a return to the cage at the UFC’s upcoming event at the White House in June. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, announced his comeback plans last year, not long after the news broke about the White House card.

Curtis Calhoun - January 1, 2026

UFC star Michael Chandler sounds as confident as ever in potentially facing off with Conor McGregor after years of waiting. Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were supposed to settle their longstanding rivalry at UFC 303 last year, before McGregor withdrew on short notice due to injury. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, has repeatedly teased a return to the Octagon at the White House later this year.

Curtis Calhoun - November 5, 2025

Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier put their past bad blood aside on the set of Road House 2. Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier are undoubtedly two of the most exciting fighters in UFC lightweight history. Poirier announced his retirement from MMA in July, while Chandler is plotting a UFC comeback next year, potentially against Poirier’s three-time foe Conor McGregor.

Cole Shelton - November 5, 2025

Michael Chandler is confident he will finally fight Conor McGregor in 2026. Chandler and McGregor have taken shots at one another for years, and the two were booked to fight at UFC 303 in June of 2024. However, an injury to the Irishman forced him out of the bout, and since then, there hasn’t been much talk about McGregor returning.

Curtis Calhoun - November 4, 2025

UFC legends Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler will reunite on the set of Road House 2 in the sequel to the Conor McGregor-headlined film. Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler shared one of the UFC’s most underrated heated pairings at UFC 281. Poirier and Chandler, a clash between two of the top fan favorites in UFC lightweight history, put on a show on the UFC 281 main card at Madison Square Garden.

Harry Kettle - October 31, 2025

UFC veteran Michael Chandler has admitted that he needs a win in his next outing as he continues to tease a Conor McGregor fight. One thing we know to be true is that Michael Chandler is a warrior. He has endured some real punishment in his career and yet, at the age of 39, he’s still as motivated as he’s ever been. As we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like he could finally be on the verge of getting the Conor McGregor fight that he’s been longing for.

Curtis Calhoun - September 23, 2025

Conor McGregor recently declared his planned UFC return against Michael Chandler next year, and one legendary former fighter isn’t having it. Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor made headlines just days ago when he confirmed his intentions to fight Michael Chandler on the UFC’s White House card next year. McGregor and Chandler were supposed to square off at UFC 303 last year, before McGregor withdrew from the bout due to a toe injury.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2025

Will Conor McGregor finally meet a fighter he never got a chance to share the Octagon with? McGregor has been adamant about wanting to secure a spot on the UFC’s planned card at the White House. While many wondered if the “Notorious” one’s push for office in Ireland would hinder that plan, McGregor recently announced he’s no longer in the running. He is now free to focus on his training if that’s what he wishes to do.