Michael Chandler responds to Conor McGregor UFC fight announcement with cheeky jibe

MMA stars Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor are expected to finally return to fight at UFC 303 which will take place June 29, 2024 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

Michael Chandler has hit back at Conor McGregor after the Irishman appeared to announce the pair will fight at UFC 303.

The bout is yet to be confirmed officially as McGregor looks to make his return to action after last fighting in 2021. The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion broke his leg in the first round of his fight with Dustin Poirier and as a result was sidelined for two years.

On the eve of a landmark UFC 300 card McGregor took to Instagram to reveal the details of his match-up against Chandler. A date he first touted as far back as January. “THE FIGHT IS ON! MCGREGOR VS CHANDLER! See you on the date I said," said McGregor.

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The clash has been much anticipated since the duo faced off as coaches on the Ultimate Fighter. Chandler has remained out of action since being submitted by Poirier in November 2022 as he waited for McGregor's return The build up to their meeting is likely to be a vocal affair and former Bellator fighter Chandler wasted little time attempting to get one up over McGregor. It appears the fighter wanted to make it clear his opponent wasn't getting all of his own way.

"On the date he said” but at the weight I said…he will do as he’s told," said the 37-year-old on X. Chandler's retort would appear to pour cold water on McGregor's suggestion the fight could take place at middleweight. UFC president Dana White posted footage of McGregor earlier in the week with the comment 'coming soon'. The MMA promoter has previously been hesitant to put a timeframe on the Irishman's return and even suggested it could be the Autumn a fight is scheduled for.

Speaking in March, White suggested promotion for Road House had slowed the progress on McGregor's return to the Octogan. He told the Pound-4-Pound podcast: “You know where Conor is tonight? He’s in New York City for the premiere of Road House. He has obligations right now, to promote this movie. So he’s been flying all over the world going to all of the premieres of the launch of this movie. This is an obligation that he has to do.”

He added: “100% [I’m looking out for him], 100%. It is what it is. He committed to this movie, he has obligations for this movie. He can’t do both. So once this movie launches, which is Thursday. This thing launches Thursday the 21st and boom. I don’t know what his obligations are once it launches, but then Conor can get back in the gym and start training. Like, full-time, getting ready for a camp.”