In return, Michael Chandler has to fight a rematch with Charles Oliveira

Michael Chandler has said goodbye to a long-awaited showdown against Conor McGregor.

At UFC 309, which takes place on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will now face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a five-round bout. Chandler discussed the news in a YouTube video following an initial report by Robbie Fox of Barstool Sports. MMA Junkie also confirmed the fight to a source. The Chandler vs. McGregor fight could still take place at a later date.

On Friday, UFC general manager Dana White told Barstool Sports that Chandler was tired of waiting for McGregor and wanted to book another fight. Chandler's opponent is now known and he will look to avenge a loss at UFC 262 to Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC), who won the vacant lightweight title via second-round stoppage.

Chandler has waited nearly two years to face McGregor. After a submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 on November 12, 2022, Chandler coached McGregor on the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter” in early 2023. He was scheduled to face McGregor at UFC 303 in June, but the fight was canceled when the Irishman broke his toe.

Since their first meeting, Oliveira defended his title against Poirier and defeated Justin Gaethje, but lost his belt on the scales. He then lost by submission to Islam Makhachev in an attempt to capture the vacant title.

Oliviera then rebounded by stopping Beneil Dariush in the first round at UFC 289, but then lost by split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, his last appearance.

The current UFC 309 lineup includes:

• Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira
• Eryk Anders vs Chris Weidman
• Viviane Araujo vs Karine Silva
• Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov
• Veronica Hardy vs Eduarda Moura
• Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
• Ramiz Brahimaj vs Mickey Gall

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.