Michael Chandler claims he has been offered the chance to face a different opponent in a UFC title fight after the recent postponement of his bout with Conor McGregor.
Chandler was due to face McGregor at UFC 303 on Saturday, with the latter pulling out of the contest due to a toe injury he sustained in the build up.
Despite the back and forth between the pair, a rescheduled date has not been confirmed.
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Chandler claims he has now been offered the chance to face Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title fight later this year.
"I've been offered Islam Makhachev in October - but if Conor McGregor's little pinky toe is ready by September, let's do Sphere," Chandler wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"Biggest sporting event in history of sports!"
Chandler was referring to the UFC's September 14 pay-per-view event at the brand-new Sphere venue in Las Vegas.
Chandler has continued to also keep coy regarding a potential fight with McGregor, with the bout now 18 months in the making all in all.
"I think we'll know a lot in the next week or two about how this is going to play out," he added.
"I've gotten that question a lot over the last year, you know, about a timeline. Is there a certain date [to move on from McGregor]? When do you pull the plug?
"When do you, you know, insert a catchphrase here. And I haven't really thought about it, but I know that some information is going to be coming my way very soon, and we'll figure it out."
Chandler, who hails from Tennessee, also admitted another UFC star could be avenue he looks to explore after the disappointment regarding his proposed fight with McGregor.
"I think it's public knowledge at this point that Max's name was floated out there in his last couple weeks," he added.
"I have a ton of respect for Max Holloway, and not just because he is a bad mofo.
"Max is the epitome of the guy who says, 'Hey, I am the guy who will stand in the middle of an Octagon, point in the center, and throw hands until one of us goes unconscious. But also I'm a good dude'. I got a ton of respect for him.
"I would love to compete against him. I guess it's up to the court of public opinion whether or not I am a [BMF] calibre guy. "I have my opinions. I think I am, and I would love to share the Octagon [with him] at some point in my career."
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Topics: UFC, Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Michael Chandler
Matthew Holt