Conor McGregor will make his return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler, according to UFC president Dana White.
McGregor, who coached the Ultimate Fighter season 31 opposite Chandler, recently said that the UFC doesn’t want the former Bellator champion to fight him because there are juicier options, such as the baddest mother effer on the planet, Justin Gaethje.
In a recent tweet, which was later deleted, here’s what McGregor said.
“I’ll do it if they want, no [problem],” McGregor said. “I don’t think they want him not more [though]. There’s loads of juicy fights around and my return date is my return date. I never gave a f*** about who it was. Ever. I’ll fight anyone. I’ll even fly them to me, ask [Paulie Malignaggi]. Flown in and [beat] around.”
Chandler responded by saying that McGregor’s words don’t hold any weight anymore.
“This dude… I remember when his words held an immense amount of weight. Just tell the truth,” Chandler said.
This dude… I remember when his words held an immense amount of weight. Just tell the truth. https://t.co/PGx26gUe72
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 8, 2023
Dana said that McGregor was just playing around because he is ready to fight Chandler.
“I talked to Conor, either yesterday or the day before, and yeah, he’s ready to fight,” Dana said at the post-fight press conference for DWCS. “I said, ‘Listen, get in shape and let’s figure this out.’
“Chandler next for McGregor? Yeah, yeah, he’s next. He (McGregor) likes to f*** with everybody. You know what I mean? Especially his opponent, or possible opponents.”
McGregor hasn’t re-entered the USADA testing pool, which is mandatory for him to fight. The Irishman will have to undergo six months of regular testing to make his return to the cage, which will likely happen early next year.
Should the fight happen soon, Chandler thinks he’d embarrass McGregor.
“Second round KO. Break his will in the first. Finish in the second,” Chandler tweeted.
Second round KO. Break his will in the first. Finish in the second.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 8, 2023
Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler, who do you think would win?
