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Tom Taylor

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is just days removed from a gruelling decision loss to Justin Gaethje but is already angling for a 2022 fight with Ireland‘s Conor McGregor.
And from the looks of it, the Irishman is interested in making the fight happen at some point.
Chandler (22-7) battled Gaethje (23-3) in the first bout of the UFC 268 main card on Saturday night in New York City. The bout blew the roof off Madison Square Garden and earned both Americans US$50,000 Fight of the Night bonus cheques.


The action was also injurious enough that both men were taken to hospital immediately after the fact. But while Chandler is still very much on the mend, he’s already looking ahead to his next challenge in the Octagon.
Posting on Twitter on Monday, the 35-year-old made a call for a 2022 showdown with the former two-division champion McGregor (22-6).

2022 pic.twitter.com/Da0D3zhOEr
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 8, 2021

It didn‘t take long for McGregor to respond.
The 33-year-old Irishman didn‘t commit to the bout outright, but expressed some openness to it and commended Chandler for his riveting fight with Gaethje.
“I’m down at some stage for sure,” McGregor wrote. “Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!”
UFC 268: Gaethje, Chandler reunite in hospital after lightweight war
“Thank you sir,” Chandler responded. “It would be my pleasure. See you soon.”
Chandler and McGregor are both still ranked inside the lightweight top 10, at No 5 and 9 respectively. Both are on two-fight losing streaks.
Before his setback against Gaethje, Chandler was knocked out by Charles Oliveira in a failed bid for the vacant lightweight championship. McGregor, meanwhile, is riding consecutive stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier, the latter of which left him with a broken leg.


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Michael Chandler calls out Conor McGregor for 2022 fight, and gets a quick response

Conor McGregor walks in the Octagon before his lightweight bought against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Photo: AFP

UFC: Michael Chandler says he made some questionable decisions in loss to Justin Gaethje

Michael Chandler looks on against Justin Gaethje in their lightweight bout at UFC 268. Photo: AFP

Michael Chandler, right, lands a punch against Justin Gaethje during a lightweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 268, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

UFC 268: Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler reunite in hospital for photo after  lightweight war

Justin Gaethje (left) and Michael Chandler pose for a picture together in hospital after their UFC 268 war. Photo: Instagram/@justin_gaethje

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (R-L) 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. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 268: Zhang Weili ‘looking forward’ to Rose Namajunas trilogy – ‘I believe I’ll get my belt back’

Rose Namajunas (left) throws a punch against Zhang Weili at UFC 268. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Rose Namajunas reacts against Zhang Weili in their strawweight title bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Zhang Weili’s gutsy UFC 268 performance proves she belongs – and always has

Is it back to the drawing board for Zhang Weili after her second straight loss to Rose Namajunas at UFC 268? Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Nov 6, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) competes against Zhang Weili (blue gloves) during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Kamaru Usman celebrates after his decision victory over Colby Covington in their welterweight title bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Apr 24, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Rose Namajunas (Blue Gloves) kicks Zhang Weili (Red Gloves) for a TKO during UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 6, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Zhang Weili (blue gloves) during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Mixed martial artist Zhang Weili celebrates after knocking out Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen

Li Kai Wen at the UFC Performance Institute Shanghai

UFC 268 one of all-time great cards, with thrills, shocks and sheer violence from first bell to final buzzer

Kamaru Usman lands a punch on Colby Covington’s face during the welterweight title main event at UFC 268. Photo: AP

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Bobby Green celebrates after his TKO victory against Al Iaquinta in their lightweight bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Billy Quarantillo punches Shane Burgos in their featherweight bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (R-L) Alex Pereira TKO's Andreas Michailidis with a knee to the chin in their middleweight bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (R-L) Rose Namajunas punches Zhang Weili in their strawweight title bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Michael Chandler, left, exchanges punches with Justin Gaethje during a lightweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 268, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

Nov 6, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Kamaru Usman (red gloves) competes against Colby Covington (blue gloves) during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Frankie Edgar reacts after loosing to Marlon Vera in their bantaweight bout during the UFC 268 event at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2021 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Days after gruelling UFC 268 loss to Justin Gaethje, American is already looking to challenge former two-weight champ
‘I’m down at some stage,’ replies McGregor, who congratulates Chandler on ‘great fight’



Conor McGregor says he’s ‘down at some stage’ after Michael Chandler challenges him to fight in 2022.


Conor McGregor

UFC: Michael Chandler calls out Conor McGregor for 2022 fight, and gets a quick response

Days after gruelling UFC 268 loss to Justin Gaethje, American is already looking to challenge former two-weight champ ‘I’m down at some stage,’ replies McGregor, who congratulates Chandler on ‘great fight’

Days after gruelling UFC 268 loss to Justin Gaethje, American is already looking to challenge former two-weight champ

‘I’m down at some stage,’ replies McGregor, who congratulates Chandler on ‘great fight’