Conor McGregor’s next opponent revealed, if not Michael Chandler

A new opponent has emerged for Conor McGregor’s comeback opponent in the UFC, next year, should a bout against Michael Chandler fail to materialize.

That’s according to MMA analyst and former UFC championship challenger Chael Sonnen, who said on his YouTube platform this week that while he believes Chandler is the most obvious and probable fight to book from a storytelling perspective, there is a back-up option that makes sense, too.

McGregor and Chandler have been linked with one another for years, and were scheduled to fight last summer. However, the Irishman withdrew from the contest with one month until fight night, citing a broken pinky toe. Chandler continues to lobby for the fight, knowing it’s an extraordinary payday — particularly if its held as part of the USA’s 250th anniversary celebrations on The White House lawns.

But, if McGregor vs Chandler is doomed, Sonnen presented an alternative.

New Conor McGregor Comeback Opponent Revealed — Not Michael Chandler

Sonnen explained on his YouTube channel that because a McGregor fight won’t be for a title, or the No.1-contender spot, it will be “a one-night-only event,” against someone “who isn’t ranked, an older name, a name that you know.”

Sonnen conceded that this does overlook Chandler, who, because of the time he spent waiting for McGregor — effectively putting his career on hold — the American still deserves his shot.

“It’s very hard for me to believe that Conor McGregor is going to return and that anybody else gets that opportunity. I feel if we’re going by what the right thing to do, and we don’t have to do that, by the way. What difference does it make? I mean, these aren’t children where you’re trying to do it right in Little League. Everybody gets a turn to bat. It’s not like that.

“But if it was, I think it would have to be Chandler or at least Chandler would have to sure be considered.”

That leads us to in which weight class McGregor will return to. He’s fought at featherweight, lightweight, and higher. But he has not fought since 2021. It could therefore be five years since he fought an MMA fight, if he is to only return in 2026.

“They are not likely to even do it at a weight class that exists,” said Sonnen. “I mean, when you’re living in Sillyville, you don’t want to go part way. If you’re gonna put on a main event that absolutely doesn’t have anything to do with business, you’re better to not do it at 155 or at 170. You’re better to do it at 168 pounds.

“All of a sudden you’re in a weight class that doesn’t exist. And that in many ways, is better. Are we looking to just go right with Michael Chandler and pick up where we left off? Now, The Ultimate Fighter and all of those storylines are going to be long gone. You’re gonna have a new fan base.

“You’re gonna have to remind them of that, but at least you’ve got the footage to do it. I think that’s the right spot, frankly.”