Getty Conor McGregor poses during the UFC 264 ceremonial weigh-in on July 9, 2021, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Irish fighting superstar Conor McGregor is “down at some stage” to fight a fellow ranked UFC lightweight.
In the opening fight of UFC 268’s main card at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 6, 2021, No. 2-ranked 155-pound fighter Justin Gaethje took on No. 4 Michael Chandler. It was an absolute war for three rounds with both men battering and bruising the other with their patented powerful strikes.
Getty Justin Gaethje punches Michael Chandler in their lightweight bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City.
In the end, Gaethje earned the judges’ nod via unanimous decision. “The Highlight” is now prepared to wait and challenge the winner of next month’s lightweight title fight between champion Charles Oliveira and No. 1 Dustin Poirier.
On the other hand, Chandler plans to return in 2022, and “Iron” shared on Monday, November 8, 2021, that he hopes it’s against McGregor. Posting an edited image of himself and McGregor facing off, Chandler tweeted, “2022.” See below:
A little while later, “Notorious” responded to the former Bellator lightweight champion. The Irishman showed interest in the fight and also congratulated on Chandler’s “Fight of the Night” with Gaethje.
“I’m down at some stage for sure,” McGregor tweeted. “Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!”
McGregor is currently rehabilitating the leg break he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
@MikeChandlerMMA I’m down at some stage for sure. Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!
“Thank you sir,” Chandler responded. “It would be my pleasure. See you soon.”
@TheNotoriousMMA Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure. See you soon.
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Chandler Has Lost His Last 2 Fights in a Row
Chandler is now 1-2 since moving over to the UFC from Bellator last year. He made his debut in January 2021, finishing Dan Hooker in the first round by TKO. He fought for the vacant 155-pound belt in May 2021 against Oliveira, and although he dominated the Brazilian in the first round, he was caught in the second and finished by TKO.
Now with the defeat to Gaethje, Chandler is on his first two-fight losing skid since 2014.
However, considering how entertaining all of Iron’s fights have been inside the Octagon, his stock remains high and he’ll likely receive another high-profile match next.
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UFC 268 Fight Card Results
Gaethje vs. Chandler may have won Fight of the Night honors, but there were several instant-classic fights that took place at UFC 268. Both welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and strawweight champ Rose Namajunas retained their titles by narrow decisions.
Also during the main card, Marlon “Chito” Vera earned the biggest victory of his career by knocking out ex-UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, and Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo put on an epic clash.
See the UFC 268 results below:
Main Card
Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 46-46)
Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)
Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar via third-round KO (front kick)
Shane Burgos def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)
Preliminary Card
Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis second-round TKO (flying knee and punches)
Bobby Green def. Al Iaquinta via first-round TKO (punches)
Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes via first-round TKO (punches)
Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan via second-round TKO (elbows)
Early Preliminary Card
Ian Garry def. Jordan Williams via first-round KO (punches)
Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante via second-round TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches)
Dustin Jacoby def. John Allan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
Ode Osbourne def. CJ Vergara via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
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