Michael Chandler readies for Ruffy bout, still wants McGregor

Mixed martial arts veteran Michael Chandler is preparing for his upcoming bout while continuing to express hope for a future showdown with Conor McGregor, a long-discussed fight that has repeatedly failed to materialize. Chandler, 40, is scheduled to face Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight contest on June 14. This comes after a period where he actively pursued a bout with McGregor for nearly two years, a pursuit that included coaching opposite him on The Ultimate Fighter in 2023 and a planned main event at UFC 303 in 2024 that was canceled.

The UFC has since booked McGregor to return from a five-year absence against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11. Chandler stated he will be cageside to watch that welterweight bout. Reflecting on the collapsed matchup with McGregor, Chandler described the entire process as an up-and-down soap opera but claimed he now feels emotionally detached from it. He said his current focus is solely on his fight against Ruffy, predicting a knockout victory.

Despite the apparent end of the matchup within the UFC, Chandler maintains a belief that he and McGregor will eventually compete. He suggested the fight could happen in another promotion, pointing to the...