Conor McGregor calls OFF Michael Chandler fight and demands Justin Gaethje showdown for BMF belt after Poirier KO

CONOR MCGREGOR has seemingly pulled the plug on his clash with Michael Chandler and set his sights on a showdown with Justin Gaethje.

The Irishman was due to be welcomed back to the octagon by fan favourite Chandler – his rival coach on season 31 of the Ultimate Fighter – later this year.

Conor McGregor is due to be welcomed back to the octagon by Michael ChandlerTWITTER@THENOTORIOUSMMA

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But their showdown has yet to come to fruition[/caption]

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McGregor has seemingly pivoted to facing Justin Gaethje after seeing him KO Dustin Poirier[/caption]

But the duo’s showdown has yet to come to fruition, leading many to believe the fight won’t happen.

And McGregor has added fuel to that raging fire by calling out Gaethje after seeing him brutally knock out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.

The Notorious tweeted: “I’m the real BMF, he can fight for pennies if he wants but I want spirits.

“I call the shots. I’m in it to launch shots. F**k Chandler. You want it call for it.”

Gaethje, 34, claimed the UFC’s BMF title with a stunning second-round headkick KO of Poirier, whom he lost to five years ago.

But McGregor is confident of getting the better of ‘The Highlight’.

After his expletive-filled rant, he added: “Justin I’ll slap you around.”

McGregor could find it difficult to entice Gaethje to fight him as the Arizonan has set his sights on lightweight gold.

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Conor McGregor is adamant he’d knock out Justin Gaethje[/caption]

A fired-up Gaethje said in his post-fight interview: “You know what I want to do next, I want to fight for the world championship.

“These guys [Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira] are fighting in October and I want to prove I’m in the best in the world.

“Win lose or draw, maximum effort is what you’re going to get out of me.”

McGregor’s clash with Chandler was seemingly on course to take place in December before he missed the deadline to be in the USADA drug testing pool – which he must be in a minimum of six months unless an exemption is issued.

And manager Audie Attar recently revealed the Dubliner is now eyeing a 2024 return, telling MMA Junkie: “Conor was one of the most tested athletes when he was competing.

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Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octgon in over two years[/caption]

“And we’re going about things the right way.

“We’re in active discussions with the UFC, we’ve spoken to USADA, and we’re going to do things the right way.

“That’s all I’m going to say about that.

“The thing about Conor McGregor is, people will speculate and stories run wild that are nine times out of 10 very inaccurate and false, so that’s all I’ll say about that.

“But certainly, he’s looking for a comeback in 2024.”