Rogan: UFC Should've Kept Chandler for McGregor Return

Joe Rogan says the UFC should pivot back to Michael Chandler for Conor McGregor's comeback fight instead of running the Max Holloway trilogy McGregor has been floating.

Rogan made the case on his podcast, arguing the promotion had it right the first time when it booked McGregor and Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024, a fight that never happened after McGregor withdrew with a broken toe. Chandler was McGregor's original comeback opponent, with the two scheduled to fight each other at UFC 303 in 2024. McGregor withdrew from that bout after breaking his toe, and by the time McGregor was ready to return, the UFC pivoted away from Chandler, who had lost two more fights by then. The promotion went with Holloway instead, and that fight lasted just over a minute in July before McGregor blew out his knee throwing a jumping switch kick.

Why Rogan Prefers Chandler Over Holloway for McGregor

Rogan's argument comes down to styles and stamina, not sentiment. "Chandler is, like, he's very aggressive. He gets hit. But Chandler is tough as shit, man, and he's a really good wrestler, whereas Conor, in his prime, was one of the best strikers ever. It would have been fun," Rogan said. That is a fight where McGregor's power and precision matter more than his gas tank, since Chandler tends to engage early and often rather than dragging things into deep water.

Holloway is the opposite problem, according to Rogan. "Max Holloway is a five-rounder. You'd better have all of your Ts crossed, and your Is dotted if you want to go five rounds with Max motherf*cking Holloway, because that dude doesn't fade. Period," Rogan said, adding that McGregor's explosive style has historically left him fading in later rounds, pointing to the Nate Diaz fight as an example.

What This Means for McGregor's Next Fight

None of this changes what is actually on the table right now. McGregor is already talking about running it back with Holloway for a third fight next summer, and McGregor is planning to return to action next summer, potentially at International Fight Week, though much will depend on how his ACL surgery and recovery proceed. Rogan's comments are commentary on a fight the UFC already passed on, not a signal that Chandler is getting a call. Chandler, now 23-11 in his pro record, has not fought since late 2024 and has dropped consecutive bouts, which is exactly why the promotion moved off him last time.

For bettors, the distinction Rogan draws is worth banking regardless of who actually gets the next McGregor fight. A durable, five-round veteran like Holloway is a tougher stylistic matchup for McGregor than a high-volume brawler like Chandler, and any market that opens for a McGregor trilogy fight next year will likely reflect that same read: McGregor as a live underdog on the scorecards the longer the fight goes, with his best value tied to a finish inside the first two rounds. A McGregor-Chandler rematch, if it ever gets rebooked, would almost certainly draw closer, action-friendly odds given the finishing ability on both sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Conor McGregor ever fight Michael Chandler?

No. They were scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in 2024, but Conor McGregor withdrew after breaking his toe, and the UFC later booked Max Holloway instead.

What did Joe Rogan say about Conor McGregor's next fight?

Joe Rogan said on his podcast that the UFC should go back to Michael Chandler for Conor McGregor's comeback fight rather than running a trilogy with Max Holloway.

When is Conor McGregor expected to return to the UFC?

Conor McGregor is targeting a return next summer, potentially around International Fight Week, pending recovery from ACL surgery after his knee injury against Max Holloway at UFC 329.