Chandler–McGregor Never Happened; Chandler Lost to Pimblett
Michael Chandler’s long-discussed bout with Conor McGregor never took place. They were booked to meet at UFC 303 in June 2024, but McGregor withdrew with an injury. McGregor eventually returned against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July 2026; Chandler was not his opponent.
What happened to the McGregor fight
Chandler and McGregor were announced for the UFC 303 main event, but the matchup was removed after McGregor withdrew with an injury. Chandler instead faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024, before the report’s December 4 publication date; Oliveira won by unanimous decision. McGregor later fought Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, and lost by first-round TKO after a knee injury.
The Jorge Masvidal callout
Chandler’s interest in fighting Jorge Masvidal came from a fan Q&A and social-media exchange in December 2024. It was a callout, not an announced booking. Chandler’s later UFC bouts were against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314, where he lost by third-round TKO, and Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026, where Ruffy stopped him at 4:29 of the first round.
Sources: UFC 303 booking announcement; UFC 309 scorecards; report on the Masvidal callout; UFC 314 result; UFC Freedom 250 scorecards; UFC 329 results.
