Conor McGregor’s long-targeted clash with Michael Chandler will not be his comeback fight, with the UFC instead moving forward with a Max Holloway matchup at UFC 329.
McGregor was originally scheduled to return from injury against Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 in Giza, Egypt, but the bout was canceled days before the event after McGregor suffered an injury. According to his manager Audie Attar, efforts to rebook Chandler for McGregor’s return were ultimately turned down by the promotion.
“Conor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler,” Attar said, adding, “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. 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. 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.”
McGregor is now expected to headline UFC 329 on July 11 in a welterweight bout against Holloway. Attar said, “That was our main focus initially. Different names surfaced in the conversations, and in the negotiations, and I think from a Max Holloway perspective, we know we got one on Max, and he wants to get that back. We know they faced each other when they were 145ers, and we know that Max is game and he's going to put on a great performance. We just felt it was the right matchup.”
Chandler is scheduled to face Mauricio Ryffy next month at UFC Freedom Fights 250 on the White House lawn.
