Holloway Turned Down Chandler? ‘If I Was Him, I Wouldn’t Have Taken It Either’

Michael Chandler is moving on from Conor McGregor.

Did you ever think we would see the day? After many teases, going as far as an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight title shot against champion, Islam Makhachev, Chandler ultimately folded on his overwhelming degree of patience. Instead of McGregor, Chandler will rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, 2024. Oliveira defeated Chandler via second round technical knockout in their vacant title tilt at UFC 262 in May 2022.

Ahead of the hoped McGregor match up, Chandler liked the idea of a title concept for the bout. However, that was never added when it was official, but something like the Baddest Motherf*cker (BMF) strap was always of interest to Chandler. According to him, that fight with the current champion, Max Holloway, was on the table for Noche UFC at UFC 306 this past weekend (Sept. 14, 2024).

“I almost was going to fight [at UFC 306],” Chandler said in a UFC 306 media scrum (h/t MMA Fighting). “It was offered to fight Max. I respect Max because Max is a champion, Max is going to beat Ilia Topuria, I believe.”

As soon as Holloway earned his title from Justin Gaethe at UFC 300 in April (watch highlights), “Blessed” called for his shot against the Featherweight champion, Topuria. His wish was granted as he’ll challenge “El Matador” at UFC 308 next month (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024).

Chandler believes he understands Holloway’s choice.

“I think it was realistic for me because I was already in camp, in shape, and ready to go,” Chandler said. “I bring that up, not to… you know, guys throw these things out there to act like tough guys — I don’t do this to act like a tough guy. If I was Max, I wouldn’t have taken the fight either. I was pumped up that, maybe, it was a possible opportunity — Chandler vs. Holloway, BMF belt, at the Sphere [at UFC 306] — but if I was him, I wouldn’t have taken it either.

“He was on vacation, or doing something, he was enjoying some well-deserved time off and wasn’t ready to get in a camp and fight someone like me,” he concluded.