Michael Chandler ‘WASTED’ two years waiting for huge Conor McGregor payday but can soften blow at UFC 309 vs Oliveira

MICHAEL CHANDLER “WASTED” two years of his prime hanging around for Conor McGregor, former UFC champ Michael Bisping believes.

Chandler, 38, agreed to welcome the UFC’s poster boy back to the octagon last February when it was announced the pair would coach season 31 of the Ultimate Fighter.

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Michael Chandler was announced as Conor McGregor’s comeback opponent in February 2023[/caption]

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But The Notorious pulled out of their June joust after breaking his pinky toe in sparring[/caption]

Fan favourite Chandler has opted to move on from McGregor and rematch Charles OliveiraGETTY

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Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and TNT Sports pundit Michael Bisping reckons Chandler wasted two years of his prime waiting for McGregor[/caption]

The pair were initially slated to fight last December but their welterweight showdown ended up being pushed to June 2024.

But their long-overdue clash fell through just days before they were set to trade heavy leather when McGregor broke his left pinky toe in one of his final sparring sessions.

The cancellation and subsequent uncertainty over McGregor’s future led Chandler to accept a rematch with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira this weekend at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.

And TNT Sports pundit Michael Bisping can’t help but believe the fan favourite squandered some of his prime years dancing to the beat of The Notorious’ drum.

When asked if Chandler had wasted his time, the former middleweight champion told SunSport: “I mean, yeah, of course he did. He didn’t get to fight him.”

Bisping, however, completely understands Chandler’s decision to sit on the sidelines for McGregor, whose fighting future is currently in doubt.

He continued: “I understand why he did it, though.

” I understand completely. With the red panty night, that sums it up perfectly.

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“And who wouldn’t be a part of the biggest fights? He said when he came into the UFC he’s here for a good time, not a long time.

“Sadly, he wasted two years on the sidelines waiting for that.

“But at some point, you gotta move on. So he’s made the right choice.”

A win over ‘Do Bronx’, who shattered his dreams of winning UFC gold in their May 2021 meeting, will put Chandler in contention for a second crack at the lightweight strap.

“It’s gonna be another interesting matchup,” Bisping said of the pair’s rematch. “Charles Oliveira is so exciting.

“And so is Michael Chandler. The fight’s gonna be ridiculous.

“[And as] I said, it’s got real title implications. You know, it’s a shame for Michael Chandler.

Michael Chandler was knocked out by Charles Oliveira in their first meeting nearly three-and-a-half years agoGETTY

Victory over Chandler saw ‘Do Bronx’ claim the lightweight titleGETTY

“He’s a really, really good guy.

“He had two years in the prime of his earning power waiting on the sidelines for Conor.

“But at some point, you’ve just gotta write it off and say, OK, well, maybe down the line, it happens.

“But for now, you gotta move on.”

Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.

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