Michael Chandler to Face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, Conor McGregor Bout Postponed Again

Michael Chandler, who has been eagerly awaiting a fight against Conor McGregor, will not be facing the Irish legend at UFC 309 as initially planned. After over 18 months of anticipation and multiple date pushbacks, McGregor has pulled out of the fight due to a toe injury.

Instead, Chandler is set to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their bout from three-and-a-half years ago. In their previous encounter, Oliveira emerged victorious, claiming the lightweight title. This upcoming fight at UFC 309 will serve as the co-main event, with Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event.

Chandler’s bout against Oliveira holds significant implications for his career. A win could propel him into lightweight championship contention, potentially positioning him to face the winner of the upcoming fight between current champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Chandler is currently ranked 7th in the lightweight division, and a victory would likely elevate him into the top three.

Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC remains uncertain. Having not fought since his brutal leg break in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier, McGregor’s future in the sport is still in question. UFC President Dana White has indicated that McGregor might return early in 2025, but at the welterweight division due to his significant muscle gain during his time off. McGregor has also mentioned Dan Hooker as a potential opponent for his return, rather than Chandler.

The delay in the Chandler-McGregor fight has been a long-standing issue, with both fighters having coached against each other in The Ultimate Fighter in 2023 and initially planning to face off by the end of that year. However, with McGregor’s injury and unclear return timeline, Chandler has been forced to adjust his plans and focus on the upcoming bout against Oliveira[3]).