The biggest loser from Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 wasn’t McGregor, it was the guy who waited over a year and a half to fight him.
That person is Michael Chandler, a popular lightweight who is suddenly faced with the possibility of losing what would have likely been the most lucrative fight of his MMA career. His last fight was a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.
Chandler responded to McGregor’s withdrawal due to injury on Friday in the form of a joint Instagram post with sponsor MegaFit Meals. So at least you’re getting some money from this.
The complete reaction:
@thenotoriousmma was never the safe bet as an opponent, he was always the highest risk. Perhaps the greatest reward… but the greatest opportunity. There is nothing right or wrong in business…you only take risk to grow or stay comfortable where you are.
That’s what @mikechandlermma does.
And if it doesn’t go as planned…redirect course toward something even greater.
Our respect to the man who represents the world of wrestling better than anyone we have ever met. WITHOUT FEAR. UNLIMITED. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.
Make hard work your passion – who cares who is on the other side of the punch?
Chandler proceeded to post as usual again later on Friday. with a caption ending in “See you at the top!”
It’s really hard to overstate how poorly it has worked out for Chandler, 38, to agree to fight McGregor. Given his popularity, almost any fighter close to McGregor’s weight would jump at the chance to be his first opponent in more than three years, and Chandler was the choice once he and McGregor were selected as coaches for “The Ultimate Fighter” last February. .
It took more than a year for the UFC to set a fight date, as the promotion was still waiting for McGregor to enter the USADA testing pool. The UFC finally dropped USADA in October, but negotiations continued while McGregor promoted his Hollywood debut in Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Road House” remake.
Even as rumors about McGregor were circulating last week after he pulled out of a UFC 303 press conference, Chandler and the promotion were still promoting the fight. That included this very unfortunate event and the resulting community note, published hours before McGregor retired.
Many people believe Chandler should move on now. including UFC commentator Daniel Cormier. Whether he does will depend on how quickly the UFC can find another date for McGregor.
