Michael Chandler is just not prepared to show the web page on a possible struggle with UFC star Conor McGregor regardless of all the pieces that’s transpired.
Chandler, a former Bellator light-weight champion, returned to the octagon final Saturday at UFC 309. There, he misplaced a unanimous resolution to Charles Oliveira after placing his profession on maintain for nicely over a yr and ready for a struggle with McGregor to materialize.
Now again in motion, the 38-year-old needs to revisit the McGregor struggle for the summer season of 2025.
“I feel me and Conor Worldwide Struggle Week is the subsequent struggle,” Chandler mentioned 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 in opposition to McGregor. The 2 have been speculated to struggle this previous July at UFC 303, however McGregor withdrew from the matchup attributable to harm.
Chandler believes the Irishman will return to the cage, and he’s extraordinarily assured the struggle to make is in opposition to him.
“I’m not saying it’s an actual actuality, however I’m saying if he does, his street comes straight by Nashville, Tennessee,” Chandler defined. “His street again to the UFC, now we have to complete The Final Fighter. The UFC needs us to complete The Final Fighter, Conor needs to struggle me, and he can struggle anyone. He made a dedication.
“I’ve mentioned 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 folks give him credit score for as a result of he’s turn into this huge, 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’d like our employers and types to take us to the subsequent stage to create our lives.”
On prime of considering he makes essentially 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 to his dedication,” Chandler mentioned. “Fairly frankly, he wants to return again. He wants one thing to chase, or else he’s going to chase the improper issues. And if he does, it simply so occurs that there’s a man ready, and I’m one of many prime attracts within the UFC. Folks pays good cash to observe me struggle.”
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