It seems that Michael Chandler has finally come to terms with the fact that his fight with Conor McGregor might not come to fruition.
The past few years of Michael Chandler’s career (23-9, 2-4 UFC) haven’t been the most fruitful. The former Bellator champion practically screamed for a fight with Conor McGregor (22-6, 10-4 UFC). However, as is often the case with the unpredictable Irishman, the road to making it happen has been anything but smooth.
Since his loss to Dustin Poirier, “The Notorious” has repeatedly claimed that he would step back into the Octagon. He hyped his return as “the greatest in combat sports history.” Yet, despite sharing glimpses of his training, the fight with Chandler kept getting pushed back indefinitely.
McGregor and Chandler both took part in The Ultimate Fighter and eventually signed a deal to face each other. However, their scheduled bout at UFC 303 last summer never materialized, as the Irishman withdrew due to injury.
Chandler Doubts the Fight with McGregor Will Ever Happen
After numerous callouts, Michael Chandler finally accepted a fight against Charles Oliveira. Following his loss, he once again called out “The Notorious.” However, he has now started to question whether he will ever step into the cage with McGregor.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani ahead of his UFC 314 bout with Paddy Pimblett, Chandler admitted that he still believes McGregor will fight again. However, “Iron” wouldn’t bet money on it actually happening.
“Conor is always a part of [my conversations with the UFC,” said Chandler in an interview. “His road back to the UFC goes through me. That is the UFC’s sentiment, and I believe that’s his sentiment… My heart of hearts says Conor is coming back at some point. But, if I’m a betting man, if I’m using my brain, I wouldn’t put money on it. But that’s where I’m at today, right now, I’m focused on a blonde dude from Liverpool.”
“So, my heart of hearts says I’m not sure, for sure. He has to come back to his first love… ” Chandler continued. “Every single thing that he has can be tied back, in some way or another, to the UFC, the opportunity that they gave him. Does he want this legacy to be, my last fight I broke my leg and touted the greatest comeback in combat sports history? Fooled everybody for a couple of years and then signed on the dotted line to fight Michael Chandler and then pulled out of the fight… But, if I was a betting man, I ain’t putting money on him fighting again.”
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