Conor McGregor breaks silence on ‘mad little fellow’ Michael Chandler calling him out at UFC 309

Conor McGregor responded to Michael Chandler’s callout following a loss to Charles Oliveira in the UFC 309 co-main event.

Conor McGregor kept a keen eye on the UFC 309 co-main event as Michael Chandler made his long-awaited return to the Octagon against Charles Oliveira. After being outpointed over the first four rounds of the fight, Chandler nearly pulled off an all-time great comeback in Round 5, including two slam attempts with Oliveira on his back.

It’s been a three-year-plus endeavor for Chandler to lure McGregor back to fight him in the UFC. The two stars clashed on The Ultimate Fighter as coaches, and were supposed to headline UFC 303 in June before a short-notice cancelation.

Despite the disappointing setback in his return, Chandler didn’t lose star power in his loss to Oliveira. After the fight, he took advantage of his mic time by calling out McGregor in his Octagon interview with Joe Rogan.

It didn’t take long for McGregor to respond to Chandler’s callout on social media and seems intrigued at rebooking the fight in 2025.

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Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images Conor McGregor applauds Michael Chandler after UFC 309 lossIn a recent post on X, McGregor responded to Chandler’s latest attempt to make their fight come to fruition.

“Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight. Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!” McGregor tweeted.

As of this writing, Chandler hasn’t responded to McGregor on social media. If he’d defeated Oliveira at UFC 309, it’s uncertain if Chandler would’ve called out McGregor instead of a lightweight title shot.

McGregor and Chandler were booked to headline UFC 303 in June before McGregor suffered a toe injury just weeks before the event. Chandler wasn’t rebooked for another fight on the card, and instead of continuing his long wait for McGregor, opted to take the Oliveira rematch.

In addition to his McGregor pursuits, Chandler remains a potential player in the UFC lightweight title picture. As for McGregor, he hasn’t fought since a trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

READ MORE: UFC legend holds Bo Nickal’s corner responsible for lackluster performance at UFC 309Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight. Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 18, 2024 View Tweet

Dana White: Conor McGregor returning to the Octagon in late 2025At the UFC 309 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White announced that the matchmakers are anticipating a McGregor comeback in late 2025, but it’s possible he could return earlier. It’s been a lengthy hiatus for McGregor after snapping his leg against Poirier and a rigorous recovery.

Before the loss to Oliveira, Chandler hadn’t competed since a stoppage defeat to Poirier at UFC 281. After the loss to Poirier, he called out McGregor, resulting in their TUF 31 coaching battle.

McGregor and Chandler are both looking to get back in the win column after strings of recent setbacks. The former two-division champion McGregor has lost three of his last four fights, with the lone victory during the stint coming against Donald Cerrone in 2020.

Chandler has blossomed into one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster since joining the promotion in 2020. He signed with the UFC in free agency after multiple lightweight title reigns in Bellator.

Chandler’s persistence may finally pay off in luring McGregor back to the Octagon next year. In the meantime, until a formal announcement is made by the UFC brass, the McGregor vs. Chandler matchup remains up in the air.

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