Michael Chandler just isn’t prepared to show the web page on a possible battle with UFC star Conor McGregor regardless of every little thing that’s transpired.
Chandler, a former Bellator light-weight champion, returned to the octagon final Saturday at UFC 309. There, he misplaced a unanimous choice to Charles Oliveira after placing his profession on maintain for nicely over a 12 months and ready for a battle with McGregor to materialize.
Now again in motion, the 38-year-old needs to revisit the McGregor battle for the summer season of 2025.
“I feel me and Conor Worldwide Struggle Week is the following battle,” Chandler stated on Bussin’ with the Boys. “That’s what I’m throwing on the market. I feel June, July.”
Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) coached The Final Fighter 31 towards McGregor. The 2 had been presupposed to battle this previous July at UFC 303, however McGregor withdrew from the matchup as a result of damage.
Chandler believes the Irishman will return to the cage, and he’s extraordinarily assured the battle to make is towards him.
“I’m not saying it’s an actual actuality, however I’m saying if he does, his highway comes straight by way of Nashville, Tennessee,” Chandler defined. “His highway again to the UFC, we’ve got to complete The Final Fighter. The UFC needs us to complete The Final Fighter, Conor needs to battle me, and he can battle anyone. He made a dedication.
“I’ve stated this quite a few occasions: I’ve no drawback giving my opponents props. I feel he’s extra sentimental and romantic in regards to the sport than individuals give him credit score for as a result of he’s turn out to be this massive, notorious model. However he is aware of he’s nothing with out the UFC octagon. He is aware of he’s nothing with out the UFC. He was a plumber on welfare, sleeping on a sofa. With out the UFC, he’s nothing. I don’t say that to take that away from him. We want our employers and types to take us to the following degree to create our lives.”
On high of considering he makes probably the most sense for McGregor, Chandler additionally believes McGregor misses the octagon, and doesn’t purchase that he’ll make his hiatus from the game everlasting.
“I feel he needs to see by way of to his dedication,” Chandler stated. “Fairly frankly, he wants to come back again. He wants one thing to chase, or else he’s going to chase the mistaken issues. And if he does, it simply so occurs that there’s a man ready, and I’m one of many high attracts within the UFC. Individuals pays good cash to observe me battle.”
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