Michael Chandler says he has been offered a fight against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in October but is prioritising a September bout with Conor McGregor, if he is fit.
American Chandler, 38, was set to face McGregor at UFC 303 last week but the matchup was cancelled after the 35-year-old Irishman pulled out with a broken toe.
Chandler challenged McGregor to a rescheduled contest at Noche UFC on 14 September at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
“I’ve been offered Islam Makhachev in October – but if Conor McGregor’s little pinky toe is ready by September, let’s do Sphere,” said Chandler on X., external
“Biggest sporting event in history of sports!”
Former featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor insisted he would be back soon following his injury, but UFC president Dana White said he was unsure if McGregor will return.
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McGregor added he was in “deep mental pain” watching UFC 303 unfold without him, as Alex Pereira defended his light-heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka.
Chandler has not fought since defeat by Dustin Poirier in November 2022, in anticipation of fighting McGregor.
A fight with Russian Makhachev would represent his second attempt at a UFC title after losing to Charles Oliveira in 2021.
Makhachev, 32, defended his belt against Poirier last month, while lightweight number one contender Arman Tsarukyan is currently serving a nine-month ban for an altercation with a fan.
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