The internet has opinions on Conor McGregor missing UFC 300 and challenging Michael Chandler to a fight at middleweight.
Conor McGregor has revealed the time and place for his long-awaited UFC return, but not everyone is thrilled with how his booking has come together.
On Sunday December 31st, McGregor released a video on his social media accounts confirming a fight against Michael Chandler for June 29th. While the UFC pay-per-view doesn’t have a confirmed number yet, it will go down during the big International Fight Week festivities in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After six months of endless speculation, it’s nice to finally have Conor booked. There is some disappointment that he won’t be fighting at UFC 300, though. Expectations for that historic card are extremely high, and fans are having a hard time imagining what UFC matchmakers can do to make up for the “Notorious” sized hole in line-up.
Then there’s all this silliness about McGregor vs. Chandler going down at middleweight. Is McGregor being serious? Is this all just a troll? Mind games aimed at Chandler? It’s hard to tell with McGregor. He’s already fought at featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. He’s been talking about a title run at 170. Would he really cloud up those efforts just to get a cheap jab in at Chandler?
Probably.
Take a look at what fighters and fans have been saying about McGregor’s big return announcement, and the lack of Mac on UFC 300.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 31, 2023
I always said I wanted you at your biggest, your baddest and your best. 185 would look good on me.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 31, 2023
Don’t forget who was a natural featherweight who started his UFC career fighting cherry-picked bantamweights.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 31, 2023
Just got off the phone with Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA). He watched Conor’s announcement of their fight on June 29 with me on speaker.
He laughed as it played and (regarding the 185 stipulation) said, “Here we go. Any weight is good with me.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 31, 2023
Very telling the biggest sports announcement of the year from a global mega star came on X rather than Instagram (yup outta dah @elonmusk )
Also that laugh pic.twitter.com/cn4fv2Go2L
— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) December 31, 2023
CHANDLER DID WHAT HE WAS TOLD LFG pic.twitter.com/N3TD9EOlIJ
— OOC MMA (@oocmma) December 31, 2023
I gonna step in replacing chandler https://t.co/6YbC4tlCzc
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) December 31, 2023
Chandler at 185 will looks like mini Iranian hulk pic.twitter.com/brvahYSHBj
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) December 31, 2023
Every fighters dream. No weight cut and a life changing future secure pay day. Congrats Michael chandler
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) December 31, 2023
Odds this fight actually happens AND 185lbs….? https://t.co/VgHve6LW66
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) December 31, 2023
How McGregor and Chandler are going to pull up at the weigh-ins for #UFC302 at Middleweight and with no USADA for 6 months. pic.twitter.com/iysiERdRFL
— Victor (@frontkicked) December 31, 2023
Never made sense for Conor’s return to be on UFC 300. 1) That’s a big enough card anyway, they really don’t need him. 2) That event will be stacked with multiple title bouts and UFC has been loath to let other champs share in the McGregor PPV point bonanza since UFC 205.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) December 31, 2023
Conor McGregor is missing UFC 300?? pic.twitter.com/kZ7N535xFm
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) December 31, 2023
If McGregor-Chandler does indeed take place at Middleweight:
Conor Mcgregor has the opportunity to become the first fighter to win at 4 separate weights in The UFC.
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) December 31, 2023
UFC 300 needs some love why is UFC stacking all the cards before & after this ppv. Every fight rumored for 300 sounds awful except Pereira v Aspinall
— Dylan (@QwaQuaD) December 31, 2023
Make no mistake, this is all because of Dana’s greed. He doesn’t want any champs getting extra ppv points from a mcgregor ppv for ufc 300. UFC 300 will be subpar, and the Conor card in June will be subpar. UFC isn’t what it used to be.
— ghost of christafuh (@satrialesmma) December 31, 2023
Got to wait another 6 months come on. WTF is the UFC doing honestly. Put Conor on 300 and maybe you can turn him around quicker for November at MSG. So weird if he’s ready to go, make 300 a big one https://t.co/pZZv2AYBUV
— Jeff MacDonald (@jmacyourlife) December 31, 2023
conor fight date 6 months out idc no more
— bigbossman.eli (@BigbossmanEli) December 31, 2023
I’m sure he’ll be able to stay focused, out of trouble, and uninjured for another 6 months…
— CJD11 (@cjd11) December 31, 2023
it already looks good on you bro don’t worry pic.twitter.com/gtOmi6v8yS
— OOC MMA (@oocmma) December 31, 2023
Conor after the first round… pic.twitter.com/X4kgvq35bC
— FanScorecard (@fanscorecard) December 31, 2023
When my boss asks me to come in tomorrow pic.twitter.com/sRDALR9WYo
— RGF (@rgfray1) December 31, 2023