Michael Chandler was supposed to clash against Conor McGregor at the UFC 303, however, the fight gods had some other plans as ‘Mystic Mac’ got injured and had to withdraw from the clash. This left Chandler in a forsaken position. Why, you ask? Well, he has been waiting for McGregor for more than a year now, and he has no fights on his hands now.

The last time Chandler stepped inside the Octagon was back in November 2022, when he locked horns against Dustin Poirier. He has been waiting for McGregor since then but seems like his wait is futile now. So what’s next for the former Bellator champion? Well, it turns out he is now looking for other fights and in the midst of it, he might have challenged the lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.

Michael Chandler challenges Islam Makhachev after Conor McGregor fiasco

Dana White advised Michael Chandler to look for better opponents at the UFC 303 press conference, “I will never recommend waiting. Time is not your friend in this business. You know Michael’s been around for a long time.” And it appears that the Las Vegas, Nevada native is doing exactly that. After the Conor McGregor fight fiasco, Chandler has been actively looking for more opportunities and it appears he has found one.

The answer seemingly is lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Chandler wrote, “I’ve been offered @MAKHACHEVMMA in October – but if @TheNotoriousMMA little pinky toe is ready by Sept, let’s do sphere. Biggest sporting event in history of sports!!!! @RiyadhSeason”

Regardless, when Makhachev took to his  to state that he needed a new target now as he had conquered everyone, Chandler stated that he had been behind Makhachev for eight years now and he would be the one to beat him, “I’ve been [Targeting] your a** for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA”

Chandler appears to have turned his face against Conor McGregor as he is now actively looking for more opportunities. Meanwhile, Colby Covington seems to have an interest in facing ‘Iron’ in the welterweight division.

Colby Covington offers to step in if McGregor is out

It’s either weird or interesting that Colby Covington has stepped in to offer to replace Conor McGregor to fight against Michael Chandler. The former interim welterweight champ was having a conversation with the media when he asserted that he would be happy to fight Chandler as he is an easy fight, “I mean, I would love to. It’s an easy fight,” said Covington.

He further added, “You know, the little short pipsqueak is going to get knocked out cold. You know, he’s running his mouth before too, saying, “Oh, I’m moving up to 170. I’d like to fight Colby after I fight Conor. So, you know, if the UFC approaches me with that fight and they want to do good for Michael because he waited this whole time on Conor just hoping that that was going to happen, then yeah, of course, I would love to step up.”

Michael Chandler has an active fighter who wants to fight with him now but seems like he is targeting the championship. Will Chandler fight Covington if McGregor doesn’t show up? State your thoughts in the comments below.