Michael Chandler has reacted to Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon on July 11 and in addition has a message for the Irishman. The previous UFC double champ goes to return after 5 years to run it again with Max Holloway at UFC 329.
Whereas Chandler had hoped that he could be McGregor’s opponent at any time when the latter returns, the UFC is now not focused on making this battle occur.
Chandler and McGregor served as opposing head coaches on TUF 31 in 2023, and in 2024, they had been going to lock horns in the principle occasion of UFC 303 till a toe damage pressured “The Infamous” to tug out. Chandler spent sufficient time ready for the bout to be rescheduled. Nevertheless, when McGregor bought caught up in his BKFC duties, presidential ambitions, and authorized points, “Iron” locked horns with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 and suffered a unanimous choice loss.
Final yr, Chandler fought Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 and was stopped in Spherical 3 by the Brit, who additionally battered Chandler’s face. The 40-year-old is at present on a three-fight shedding skid and hopes to return to profitable methods by knocking out Mauricio Ruffy on June 14 on the White Home. Throughout an interview with Mike Bohn, he stated:
“I’m going to knock out Mauricio Ruffy on the White Home garden, after which we’ll see what occurs after that.”
Michael Chandler reacts to Conor McGregor’s return, says he will probably be cageside to observe “The Infamous” at UFC 329
Throughout the identical interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Michael Chandler talked concerning the Conor McGregor bout that by no means materialized, including that he’s at present 1,000,000 miles away from that battle and doesn’t have feelings about it getting cancelled and never getting rebooked.
“It’s humorous, man. Me vs. Conor, whether or not it was The Final Fighter within the lead-up, then the precise coaching camp, then the pullout of the battle, and the potential rebooking. This entire factor has been an up-and-down cleaning soap opera for the higher a part of a few years. As huge because it was, as entrenched as I used to be in it, I simply really feel like I’m 1,000,000 miles away now. I don’t actually have any feelings about it, and possibly it’s as a result of, clearly, I’m centered on Mauricio Ruffy on the White Home.”
Nevertheless, “Iron” believes he and the Dubliner will lock horns down the road, whether or not or not it’s beneath the UFC’s banner or some other promotions, since each camps need this bout to occur.
“Whether or not me and Conor battle within the UFC or not, Conor and I’ll compete in opposition to one another in some unspecified time in the future, in some venue, someplace, by some means, a way. The story is there, the animosity is there, but in addition the mutual respect is already there. It’s bought all of the makings of a blockbuster. So if it occurs down the road, it occurs down the road. However I want him nicely and it’s good to listen to clearly. I do know they needed that battle. I needed the battle. Clearly the UFC had totally different plans, and the UFC has each proper to make no matter battle they need to make. So, right here we’re.”
Chandler additionally wished Conor McGregor the very best for the Max Holloway rematch:
“I want Conor nicely. The game is a greater place when Conor McGregor is coaching and on his means again. Max bought the nod. We’ll get to see them compete right here. It’s solely 5 weeks away. I’ll be there cageside watching, very focused on how that battle goes.”
Take a look at Michael Chandler’s feedback about Conor McGregor beneath:
