Audie Attar – Conor McGregor’s manager said the UFC return opponent Max Holloway doesn’t erase the chance of a future fight with Michael Chandler, after their long-awaited bout was derailed by McGregor’s broken toe and a cancellation that reshuffled UFC 303.
The fight fans kept circling for years still isn’t dead. Conor McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, said there’s a real possibility that McGregor’s next grudge match could eventually be against Michael Chandler—despite everything that derailed their last attempt.
McGregor and Chandler were set for a showdown multiple times over the past few years, including as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 31,” where the trash talk and buildup made the matchup feel inevitable. It never materialized.
They came close again in June 2024, when the fight was scrapped after McGregor suffered a broken toe during training. The injury forced an abrupt cancellation of a UFC 303 press conference and left the promotion scrambling to find a replacement bout. That replacement ultimately went to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.
Now McGregor is scheduled to return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, and the question lingers: does the Chandler rivalry finally get its moment?
Attar said McGregor still wanted Chandler to be the opponent. “Conor really wanted to give [his return fight] to Michael Chandler,” Attar told MMA Junkie. “He just felt Michael deserved it. having gone through the show and experienced that camp. the unfortunate injury. and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it.”.
Attar acknowledged that timing and matchmaking didn’t work out when McGregor’s injury forced the change. adding. “At the time. it just didn’t make sense for the UFC. but it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future.” He pointed to Chandler’s next opportunity and said. “Michael has a great fight ahead of him at the White House. and we wish him the best. We want him to succeed. It can become a reality.”.
Chandler is coming off a three-fight losing streak, but he remains one of the top draws in the lightweight division. He’s scheduled to face Mauricio Ruffy (13-2) at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14. If Chandler wins, Attar suggested a McGregor fight could be on the table.
McGregor, meanwhile, is walking into a different kind of test. Holloway is a former UFC lightweight and “BMF” champion, and McGregor is returning after a five-year hiatus following a broken leg suffered against Dustin Poirier back in 2021.
Between the long-running rivalry and the way both careers are currently on the clock, the stakes are clear even without any contract signed. McGregor’s manager doesn’t sound like he’s moving on from Chandler—he sounds like he’s waiting for the pieces to line up again.
Conor McGregor Michael Chandler Audie Attar Max Holloway UFC 329 UFC 303 Ultimate Fighter 31 Alex Pereira Jiri Prochazka Mauricio Ruffy UFC Freedom 250 White House fight