MIAMI – Conor McGregor has inserted his name into UFC 314 conversations by showing interest in Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett, but both fighters seem unmoved.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was once upon a time on a direct collision course with Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) as an opposing coach on Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” However, McGregor could not come to terms for a fight date, and has since been focusing on other business interests such as BKFC.
Thursday, McGregor shared a video of himself hitting mits outdoors with a straightforward caption. “I am interested in the Chandler/Pimblett fight this weekend,” McGregor wrote.
I am interested in the Chandler/Pimblett fight this weekend. @bareknucklefc @ufc @TKOGrp @tidlsport @Duelbits pic.twitter.com/PzCkACgZqn
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 10, 2025
The message got around, including to Chandler and Pimblett, who share the UFC 314 spotlight as the co-main event. Both fighters all but dismissed McGregor’s interest considering he hasn’t fought since breaking his limb at UFC 264 in July 2021.
“I’m sure he’s watching,” Chandler said at the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference. “He watches and he’s very interested in coming back, but can he put together a training camp? That’s the real question. We don’t know. All I know is you can see by my actions, fighting Charles Oliveira in November and now fighting five months later Paddy Pimblett, putting my ranking on the line, going out to brave the unknown. I’m going to stay active.
“The first 26 months in the organization, I weighed in six times, fought five times, Fight of the Night, Fight of the Year, Debut of the Year, Knockout of the Year – all I do is put on great fights, and on Saturday night I’m going to do it again. … I don’t really care what Conor tweets. If he comes back, we got to finish ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’, and he’s going to be impressed by my performance on Saturday night.”
Pimblett, who cut his teeth under the Cage Warriors banner like McGregor, said he would take the fight if it ever presented itself, but didn’t appear to think much of that possibility.
“I’d welcome that fight, that’s where the money is at,” Pimblett said. “But I can’t look past Michael. I’ve got to fight Michael on Saturday night and get the win here. That’s all that matters.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.
