While McGregor is undoubtedly the biggest star in MMA, the reality for Chandler is far more complex. McGregor has fought infrequently, and his long absence from the cage means that Chandler's potential earnings from such a fight would be uncertain at best.

It was May 2022 and Michael Chandler had just scored a breathtaking front-kick knockout, crumbling Tony Ferguson before a gasping crowd in Phoenix. This was a bonus "wow!" for fans whose primary draw to UFC 274 was the still-to-come main event, a championship fight between two other lightweights, both bigger stars than Chandler.