Getty Image / Chris Unger
Fight fans have been patiently waiting to see if Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will actually fight each other since the start of The Ultimate Fighter.
The original plan was for them to face off at the conclusion of this season. However, there have been no reports of McGregor entering the USADA testing pool.
Many believe that a fight may never come to fruition, despite Chandler consistently claiming he thinks it will happen.
Well, things might just be in the works after both Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler send out cryptic tweets.
On Saturday, July 8, the day of UFC 290, McGregor shared a tweet of a Santa Claus emoji.
🎅
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 9, 2023
Many fans were unsure how to take it. Especially considering December is five months away and the UFC star is supposed to test clean in the USADA pool for six months.
Ah yes December, 5 months in to you 6 month usada testing
— Jack🇮🇪🏖️ (@UtdJack22) July 9, 2023
Fast forward to Tuesday, July 11. Chandler teased UFC fans with a Christmas themed emoji of his own.
🎄
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 11, 2023
We have both guys tweeting Christmas emojis, so maybe there is some legitimacy to it.
Dana White himself even believes this fight could happen before the end of the year, even though McGregor’s USADA situation is a bit messy. Here’s what White had to say about during an interview with Aaron Bronsteter back on July 6.
Dana White provides an update on McGregor vs. Chandler.
McGregor is still yet to re-enter the USADA pool, but is still holding out hope that the fight happens this year. pic.twitter.com/UEVugjEN9H
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 6, 2023
So, despite the doubt surrounding this possible matchup, it sounds like Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, and Dana White are on the same wave length.
If the fight takes place in December, then that means McGregor and Chandler would likely headline UFC 296. As of right now, that is the only card this year that doesn’t have a headliner, or any fight for that matter, scheduled.
With that said, if these cryptic tweets are of any indication, perhaps we’ll hear a fight announcement soon.