Conor McGregor given two-option ultimatum as UFC return is delayed again

has revealed UFC rival either needs to retire or come back and face him inside the cage.

McGregor - a former two-division champion in the - hasn't fought since losing to at UFC 264 back in 2021. He was expected to fight Chandler in his comeback to the promotion, but due to an injury.

Speaking to at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship's event in Marbella last month, McGregor suggested he's . In a brief exchange, the BKFC shareholder said: "February 1, Saudi Arabia." Adding: "Dan Hooker" when asked for his opponent.

While there are talks of a potential fight with 'The Hangman', 'The Notorious' still hopes to settle the score with Chandler. “I’d like it to be Chandler,” McGregor said about his UFC comeback ahead of ’s loss to in September. “I’d like that to be squared away. I wish him well against Oliveira, but let’s see how it goes.”

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Chandler and McGregor were opposing coaches on the UFC's reality TV series 'The Ultimate Fighter' last year, but the pair are still yet to face off in the cage. 'Iron' has been waiting nearly two years for a superfight with 'The Notorious.' Eventually, the American opted to move on and rematched Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on Saturday night. The former Bellator lightweight champion went on to , but showed real heart throughout the lightweight contest and nearly secured a sensational knockout in the final round.

Now, McGregor has been handed a two-option ultimatum after it was announced that the Irishman's return to the UFC has been delayed again. “Conor and I need to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31 — if he comes back,” Chandler said on the UFC 309 post-fight show. “He either needs to retire and just sail off into the sunset or he needs to come back. So we’ll see what happens.”

Speaking at the UFC 309 press conference on Saturday night, UFC boss Dana White confirmed that McGregor will not be competing in February. "Conor is going to come back late 25 so there is a lot of time for us to work out who is going to fight Conor. There is no doubt Conor wants to fight, he hits me up all the time. I told you guys he probably wasn't going to fight in 2024 and he didn't. He's going to fight in 2025, probably at the end of the year, if it is earlier that is good for all of us."

A win over Oliveira would've boosted Chandler's chances of taking on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. However, it wasn't to be, and after the defeat to the Brazilian on Saturday night, 'Iron' decided to once again call out McGregor. "Joe [Rogan], all I know how to do is throw American bad*** caution to the wind. Madison Square Garden, are you not entertained? I had a bunch of callouts, I was supposed to show up tonight, do my job and win the fight.

"Forget calling out Islam, Charles is doing that next. Maybe Max Holoway for the BMF belt. Or Conor McGregor if you can ever get your house back in order while us real professionals have been keeping the Octagon warm. We are wondering where you have been Conor. Come back and beat me, if you can?"