Michael Chandler hints at January 2026 UFC return fight with Conor McGregor
Chandler proposes January 2026 date for McGregor bout
Michael Chandler
has reignited talks of a potential UFC fight with
Conor McGregor
by suggesting a new date for their long-delayed matchup. Posting on the social media platform Threads, Chandler wrote 'Conor!!!!! 1/24/26,' hinting at a possible return event early in 2026.
The former Bellator lightweight champion and McGregor were originally expected to face each other following their coaching roles on
The Ultimate Fighter: Season 31
in 2023. Despite initial plans to schedule the bout after the season concluded, it failed to come together. McGregor later withdrew from a proposed UFC 303 headliner due to a reported toe injury.
Also read:
How UFC's move to Netflix might affect your fight night, Joe Rogan weighs in
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
You will never turn off your computer again.
planetcapture.io
Undo
Following the cancellation, Chandler returned to the Octagon for a rematch with Charles Oliveira in November 2024, and later fought Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. Losses in both contests extended Chandler's losing streak to three, matching the longest skid of his professional career.
The UFC has scheduled events only through UFC 320 on September 13, 2025. A January 24, 2026 event would likely be the promotion's first pay-per-view card of the year, as the UFC traditionally pauses operations in late December and early January.
Live Events
McGregor's UFC future remains unconfirmed
As of now, there is no confirmation that the UFC has engaged in discussions with either fighter about booking a bout for 2026. Conor McGregor has remained publicly silent on his fighting future.
McGregor's last UFC appearance occurred nearly four years ago during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, which ended with McGregor suffering a leg injury and a second consecutive defeat. Prior to that, the Irish fighter returned in 2020 after a long layoff to score a 40-second victory over Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone at UFC 246.
McGregor rose to international prominence with his 2016 knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez, securing titles in two UFC weight divisions. He subsequently participated in a high-profile boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017, before returning to the UFC for a failed title attempt against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
Also read:
The Ultimate Fighter season 33 episode 1 recap; how Cormier and Sonnen cheered newcomers
Chandler's latest callout adds to ongoing speculation surrounding McGregor's potential return. While the January 2026 date may be tentative or speculative, it highlights Chandler's continued interest in facing the former UFC champion despite recent setbacks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
French Open: Jannik Sinner drops just 3 games to extend Grand Slam unbeaten run to 17 matches
PARIS: When Jannik Sinner 's opponent in the French Open 's third round finally won a single game Saturday, the Court Suzanne-Lenglen crowd responded with a standing ovation. Sinner was simply too good on this day, extending his Grand Slam winning streak to 17 matches and looking very much like the No. 1-ranked man. Sinner dominated Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 in just 1 hour, 34 minutes, the quickest men's match at Roland-Garros this year and, measured by games lost, the most lopsided victory at a major tournament of Sinner's career. "We try to improve," Sinner said. "Today, I don't think there are many things I can improve." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Can say that again. Check out some of the numbers: Sinner delivered 31 winners and made only nine unforced errors. He accumulated 18 break points, converting seven, and faced just one, which he saved. Live Events The first 11 games went Sinner's way. When Sinner missed a return wide, making the score 6-0, 5-1 after 55 minutes of action, Lehecka raised his arm and pumped his fist in a bit of sarcastic celebration. The fans went wild, rising out of their seats and clapping and shouting, eliciting a smile from Lehecka. Make no mistake, though. Lehecka is no also-ran. The 23-year-old from the Czech Republic is ranked 34th and has been a Grand Slam quarterfinalist. But he was completely overmatched by Sinner, who has won the past two major championships - at the U.S. Open in September and the Australian Open in January - and is now the owner of an unbeaten run at the sport's most important tournaments that's been surpassed this century only by a trio of guys by the names of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Sinner's bid for a first French Open title, and fourth Slam trophy overall, will continue Monday, when he'll face No. 17 Andrey Rublev for a quarterfinal berth. Rublev advanced when his opponent, No. 14 Arthur Fils, withdrew from the tournament because a stress fracture in his lower back. What else happened at the French Open on Saturday? Jessica Pegula , the No. 3-seeded American who was the runner-up at the U.S. Open, came back to eliminate 2019 French Open finalist and 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and reach the fourth round. No. 6 Mirra Andreeva, an 18-year-old Russian who reached the semifinals a year ago, advanced to a fourth-round showdown against No. 17 Daria Kasatkina. American qualifier Ethan Quinn, the 2023 NCAA champion for the University of Georgia, played his second consecutive five-setter and was beaten by Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-4. Griekspoor came into the day 0-4 in third-round matches at majors. Who is on the schedule at Roland-Garros on Sunday? No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and the two defending champions, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz , are all scheduled to appear in the fourth round Sunday. There are three American men in Week 2 in Paris for the first time since 1995, and all are in action: No. 12 Tommy Paul, No. 13 Ben Shelton and No. 15 Frances Tiafoe. Shelton faces Alcaraz, Paul goes up against No. 25 Alexei Popyrin, and Tiafoe meets Daniel Altmaier.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Avinash Sable's family in Beed celebrates historic win in Asian Athletics Championship
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Athlete Avinash Sable made the country proud on multiple occasions, but his latest gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship left an indelible mark — not just on Indian athletics, but also on his family waiting quietly in a remote corner of Maharashtra. Two kilometres off the nearest village road, in a small farmhouse near Mandva village in Beed's Ashti tehsil, Sable's family lives a life of quiet perseverance. Avinash is the eldest of the three children of farmer couple Mukund and Vaishali Sable. In conversation with TOI, Avinash's mother recalled the last time she saw him — during Diwali. "He's been working hard for over 10 years. I feel sad when he doesn't come home for months. We hardly even get to talk to him over the phone. I share one mobile phone with my husband. I last spoke to him more than a month ago and at that time he had told us that he was going to travel a long distance to participate in the matches," she said. But the sorrow of not being able to talk to him for over one month turned to joy when they received the news of his gold medal — India's first in the event in 36 years. "After we heard he had won a gold for India, our sadness turned into happiness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo We've been told he's competing far away. We're now just waiting for him to call. We did not even get to speak to him after he won the latest gold medal for India," Vaishali said. While Sable previously brought home several medals, this particular victory carries special weight for both the nation and his loved ones back home. The achievement brought hordes of villagers to Sables' doorstep. His father Mukund added, "We are illiterate. It was our younger son Yogesh, who studied beyond 15 classes (graduate), saw the news on his mobile phone and told us what Avinash did. We feel very proud of him." Sables are marginal farmers in the remote hamlet bordering Ahilyanagar district. Despite their elder son's achievement, life remains unchanged in many ways—marked by hard work on their five acres' farm in an arid region, with lack of access to road, and limited means of communication. Proud of the recognition that Avinash's achievement has brought to the family, Vaishali said, "Once you reach Beed, ask anyone for Avinash Sable's home and people will guide you. The only problem is that there is no motorable road to our modest house we constructed on our farm." The couple said they had reached out to many in the administration as well as people's representatives with a request to construct a road, but in vain.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Madeline Gaudreau turns heartbreak into fashion with "The First Line - Apparel Collection," a memorial clothing line for Matthew Gaudreau
Madeline Gaudreau honors Matthew with The First Line apparel collection (Image via: Getty Images) Nearly a year has passed since the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in a tragic August road accident, a wound that still runs deep in the hockey community and beyond. But just when the mourning seemed to settle into silence, Madeline Gaudreau — Matthew's widow—has reignited public attention with an emotional, yet unexpectedly divisive announcement: a clothing line created in her late husband's memory in partnership with BLK The Label, set to launch June 1. Matthew Gaudreau memorial clothing line sparks emotional reactions online In collaboration with streetwear brand BLK The Label, Madeline Gaudreau has introduced a clothing collection inspired by the personal style of her late husband, Matthew Gaudreau. The line features cozy sweat suits in bold green — Matthew's favorite color — along with minimalist designs and the inclusion of a bucket hat, a subtle yet meaningful tribute to his go-to summer accessory. For Madeline, this is more than just fashion — it's a way to reflect who Matthew truly was off the ice: laid-back, understated, and most comfortable in his 'comfies. ' But while the intention is heartfelt, public reaction to the collection has been mixed. Many fans have praised the effort as a powerful and personal way to honor Matthew's memory. The inclusion of youth sizes, for instance, has been widely appreciated, symbolizing his commitment to coaching young hockey players after his retirement. This project represents a path to healing, not just for Madeline, but for anyone struggling with grief. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Women Ever Paperela Undo By turning sorrow into something tangible, she's challenging the idea that mourning must remain invisible. Through fabric and design, she's telling a story of love, loss, and the quiet power of memory. Also Read: Cam Fowler's defensive impact fueled St Louis Blues' playoff push and could influence his contract extension This memorial collection has struck a chord. And in keeping Matthew Gaudreau's presence alive, Madeline's tribute is doing exactly what it was meant to, starting conversations, sparking emotions, and reminding the world of the man behind the name. Through every stitch and design, it celebrates his spirit and the lasting impact he made on those who knew him.
