Michael Chandler Remains Open to Conor McGregor UFC Fight in December: 'Let's Do It'

Despite UFC president Dana White's recent declaration that Conor McGregor will not fight in 2024, Michael Chandler remains hopeful his postponed bout against McGregor can still happen in December.

Speaking this week to TMZ Sports, Chandler said: "If [Conor and I] can fight in December, let's do it. I'm in. But the fact of the matter is I've stayed ready since I left training camp for that June 29 fight and I am staying ready to take a fight. Any fight, if this fight doesn't look like it's happening in December."

Chandler added: "As far as I know, this fight's got some very huge prospects to fight by the end of the year. And Conor's ready, I'm ready. Let's sign on the dotted line!"

McGregor and Chandler were originally supposed to square off at UFC 303 on June 29, but McGregor suffered a broken toe in training, which forced the fight to get moved back.

Per ESPN's Andreas Hale, White was asked this week if plans are in place for McGregor vs. Chandler to be rescheduled for his year, to which he responded: "We talked and [McGregor] wants to fight. We'll figure it out. Not this year. He won't fight this year."

McGregor gave a different take in a since-deleted post on X, writing: "Ah Dana, December is the date. Bring the calendar year home with a winning event! Come on now, what's this? I am off to altitude next month to prepare. December! Tell Dana and UFC we want December! We deserve December!"

The 36-year-old McGregor is one of the biggest stars in UFC history, but he has not fought since UFC 264 over three years ago.

McGregor suffered a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier and faced a long road back to the Octagon, which got even longer when his return bout against Chandler had to be moved back.

Although McGregor lost three of his final four fights before breaking his leg, he remains a massive draw who would likely do huge pay-per-view numbers for UFC upon returning.

While the 22-6 McGregor is a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, the 38-year-old Chandler has not won a title since leaving Bellator for UFC in 2021.

Like McGregor, the 23-8 Chandler has lost three of his past four bouts, but a win over McGregor would perhaps lead to a career renaissance and represent the biggest victory of his career.

Chandler's comments suggest he is open to taking other fights, though, which suggests the bout with McGregor could be in jeopardy if UFC doesn't officially reschedule it soon.