When Conor McGregor’s Octagon comeback was delayed yet again, no one felt the sting more acutely than Michael Chandler. While Dana White and the UFC certainly felt the financial impact, it was ‘Iron’ who paid the steepest price—nearly two years of his fighting prime spent in limbo, waiting for a career-defining payday against the Irish superstar. The saga began promisingly enough! The bombastic duo built genuine anticipation as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31, setting the stage for what promised to be an explosive confrontation. For Chandler, this represented the ultimate opportunity—a chance to defeat the biggest name in MMA history while McGregor attempted his comeback after a devastating leg injury suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.After multiple false starts and shifting timelines, hope finally materialized in early 2024 when White made it official: McGregor vs. Chandler would headline UFC 303. The announcement came as sweet validation for Chandler’s extraordinary patience—over 20 months of training camps, weight management, and career stagnation while fixated on a single opponent. Then came the crushing blow. McGregor withdrew citing a broken “pinky toe,” leaving the former Bellator champion stranded once again without the payday and spotlight he had sacrificed so much to secure.This final disappointment proved too much to bear. Having reached his breaking point, Chandler finally redirected his focus, agreeing to rematch with former champion Charles Oliveira for UFC’s annual Madison Square Garden event. No longer willing to hitch his future to McGregor’s unpredictable timeline, Chandler didn’t mince words about his erstwhile opponent, labeling the former two-division champion “the most unreliable human being” in the sport.In addition, the question of his ‘regret’ over waiting for Conor McGregor still looms, casting a shadow over the Tennessee native’s journey. In an interview with MMA Fighting SBN, ‘Iron’ shared, “There’s still no regret for how the whole Conor thing played out. I had all the reassurances behind the scenes that, yeah, the fight might get pushed back a little bit and then a little bit further. But I still signed a contract, and did The Ultimate Fighter, we still need to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31.”“Conor comes back, he signed his name on a dotted line that said he will finish The Ultimate Fighter 31. So, will I wait for it? No, I’m moving on, and I’m fighting and getting after it,” explained the former Bellator champion.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 16: UFC President Dana White (C) speaks to the cast as coaches Michael Chandler (L) and Conor McGregor (R) look on during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter at UFC APEX on February 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Conor McGregor, once expected to make his UFC return, now appears unlikely to do so, having recently teased a move back to his co-owned BKFC. Meanwhile, with his career entering its final chapters, Chandler is focused on maintaining his momentum. His attention is now squarely on slaying the verbose Englishman Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. However, if the former double champ does return to the Octagon, Chandler is resolute—he believes that the road to glory for the Irishman must first pass through him.Michael Chandler issues yet another challenge to Conor McGregorConor McGregor is no longer the dominant force he once was when he last stepped into the Octagon nearly four years ago. Now, much like Michael Chandler, fans have started to view him as an “unreliable” figure who has repeatedly failed to honor his commitments. However, in the Irishman’s mind, he still sees himself as a man of his word. At this point, a UFC return for McGregor seems increasingly unlikely, especially after he recently hinted at a potential move to his co-owned BKFC.Yet, what the former champ might have overlooked is that he remains under contract with the UFC for two more fights—obligations he must fulfill unless the promotion opts to release him. This lingering contractual tie continues to keep ‘Iron’ hopeful for their long-awaited clash. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Conor McGregor’s next move, the Missouri export remains relentless in his pursuit of what would be a blockbuster fight. Speaking to Ariel Helwani this week, he made his stance clear:“His road back to the UFC goes through me,” Chandler told Ariel Helwani on Monday. “That is the UFC’s sentiment. I think it’s even his sentiment. We’ve Tweeted a little back and forth, and he said, ‘I’m a man of my word.’ Well, if you’re a man of your word, then there’s only one guy you’re going to fight when you come back to the UFC… So it could be 2025. Could be this summer, could be this fall, could be this winter, could be 2026. I don’t know.”LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: (L-R) Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler face off during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter at UFC APEX on March 3, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)What are your thoughts on Conor McGregor’s future? Do you believe he will make his way back to the UFC, or is his time in the Octagon over? And will Michael Chandler ever get his long-awaited “Red P–ty Night”? Share your opinions below!The post “No Regret” – Michael Chandler Puts the Final Nail in the Coffin of Conor McGregor’s UFC Return appeared first on EssentiallySports.