Michael Chandler teases 'new date' for Conor McGregor fight

Michael Chandler is more than willing to wait for Conor McGregor after their canceled bout at UFC 303. Now, he teased a new date for the fight against the former two-weight champion.

Originally supposed to headline 303, this weekend’s PPV, Chandler saw McGregor pull out of the fight due to injury. That was the first time he ever did so in his MMA career.

But according to Chandler, a new date is on the way for the fight, or at least a fight featuring Chandler, in the works.

“Time well spent in progress is never time wasted,” Chandler wrote on Twitter. “New date LOADING. Walk On. See you at the top!”

UFC 303’s new main event is a Light Heavyweight title bout between champion Alex Pereira and No. 1 challenger Jiří Procházka. It is a rematch between the two fan favorites. 

The co-main event will be a Featherweight bout between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes.

UFC president Dana White won’t rule out Chandler getting a different fight and opponent in the meantime, if the former Missouri wrestling All-American wants it.

“Uh Chandler, I think poor Chandler wants to wait for Conor McGregor man,” White said on The Jim Rome Show. “Whatever he wants to do. If he wants to get a fight this summer, we’ll do whatever he wants. He’s one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever worked with. He’s a good human being and I like him a lot. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll figure it out for him.”

McGregor and Chandler were pitted against each other in The Ultimate Fighter last summer and the two were finally scheduled to fight in a welterweight (170 pounds) main event.

McGregor confirmed he suffered an undisclosed injury and had to pull out of the fight against Chandler.

“Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout,” McGregor wrote on Instagram. “I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me. 

“The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team. My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there! Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”