Tag: UFC 302

Former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler claims the possibility of him facing off with long-time foe, Conor McGregor at the middleweight limit is currently up in the air as far as he is concerned, however, he’s locked in for the possibility of a slated June 29. clash with the UFC star.

Chandler, the current number five ranked lightweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured at UFC 281 back in November 2022, suffering a third round rear-naked choke submission loss to Dustin Poirier in a rallying performance from the former interim champion.

Coming up on three years away from the Octagon, ex-two-weight champion, McGregor has yet to feature since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Poirier at UFC 264 in the pair’s trilogy rubber match. 

However, over the course of last weekend, McGregor revealed he would be returning to the Octagon at an earmarked UFC 302 card during International Fight Week next – featuring on June 29. in a middleweight fight against The Ultimate Fighter 31 opposing coach, Chandler.

Michael Chandler confident of fighting Conor McGregor in June

And whilst the promotion have yet to officially comment or confirm the middleweight clash between McGregor and Kill Cliff FC staple, Chandler, the latter remains receptive to a clash at 185 pounds for the first time in his career, however, is not completely sold.

“I have a hundred percent confidence that I’m fighting Conor McGregor on June 29.” Michael Chandler told ESPN recently. “Ultimately, I’m 50-50 on it [a middleweight fight]. And ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I spent five weeks around Conor. I don’t care if he wants to fight at 185 [pounds], 170, 205, whatever it might be. You’ve got to remember: He doesn’t want to fight at 155 because he wants everybody to believe he’s bigger than he is. He, in his mind, can’t fight at 170, because I called him out at 170, therefore he’s doing what I said at 170.”

“So, he has to say 185, just like he did in the intro scene of The Ultimate Fighter telling me it was gonna be at 185,” Michael Chandler continued. “I don’t give a rip about what the weight is. … The UFC and Conor can figure that out and let me know what they’re thinking, and i can have an opinion on it. But as of right now, I couldn’t care less about the weight. The date and the opponent was all that matters.’ 

Who wins in a middleweight fight at UFC 302: Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler?

Amid an announcement revealing his return to the Octagon at an earmarked UFC 302 event on June 29. – ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has opened as a slight betting favorite to beat Michael Chandler in a planned middleweight matchup this summer.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 264 back in July 2021, fracturing his left leg in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier.

As for Chandler, the former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin has yet to make his return since he dropped a third round rear-naked choke loss to common-foe, Poirier back in November 2022 at Madison Square Garden. 

And appearing to confirm a UFC 302 battle at the middleweight limit during International Fight Week in June coming, McGregor has opened as a slight betting favorite at -120 to beat Michael Chandler, who has opened as a +100 betting underdog. 

Conor McGregor opens as favorite to beat Michael Chandler

A slew of markets and bookies are already offering odds on McGregor’s comeback fight against Chandler, including outlets which offer Casino Dailyspins on the ex-champion’s return to the Octagon – which is sure to bring with it blockbuster numbers and fan fervour

Without a victory since 2020, McGregor, who would become the first fighter with wins spanning a staggering four separate weight classes should he beat Chandler in an earmarked middleweight fight at UFC 302,

In his most recent win, McGregor turned in a 40-second stoppage of Donald Cerrone at the welterweight limit – blitzing though the Hall of Fame inductee with a vicious high-kick and follow-up strikes knockout win over the Colorado veteran. 

As for Chandler, the one-time lightweight title chaser landed a hellacious second round front kick KO win over former interim champion, Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022 – landing one of the most brutal finishes in the history of the organization.

And all while the promotion have yet to officially announce a revealed UFC 302 headliner between McGregor and Chandler during International Fight Week, the Crumlin counter striker was steadfast in his confirmation of a fight with the Kill Cliff FC staple over the course of the weekend. 

“Ladies and gentleman, a Happy New Year to you all,” Conor McGregor said in the video posted on social media. “I would like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, the greatest comeback of all time, will take place in Las Vegas, for International Fight Week, on June 29.”

pic.twitter.com/Jje2yYoQoE

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 31, 2023

“Come a little closer, and the opponent; Michael Chandler,” Conor McGregor continued. “And the weight, Mr. Chandler, 185 pounds [laughing].” 

And whilst Missouri native, Chandler has welcomed the opportunity to fight at the middleweight limit against McGregor, former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier has urged the former to stop dancing to the Dubliner’s tune as often as he appears to be. 

“I think this is a game, I think Conor McGregor is the puppetmaster, and I think Michael Chandler is being far too easy to play with,” Daniel Cormier said. “At this point, Michael Chander is Pinocchio. Conor McGregor’s doing stuff like (pulling his strings) with Michael Chandler and I don’t like it, because I like Michael Chandler. But I think he’s doing too much.”

Who wins in a middleweight showdown this summer: Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler?

Former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler has this afternoon confirmed he has entered camp for a return to the Octagon this year, following an announcement from Conor McGregor that he will fight the former on June 29. during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, at an earmarked UFC 302 pay-per-view card.

Chandler, a former undisputed lightweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he suffered a third round rear-naked choke submission loss to common-foe, Dustin Poirier back in November 2022 at Madison Square Garden.

For McGregor, the former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion has yet to make good on a return since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Poirier back in mid-2021.

However, over the course of last weekend, Crumlin-born striker, McGregor confirmed his return to the Octagon would take place on June 29. next – in the form of a middleweight fight against Chander during International Fight Week in Nevada.

“Ladies and gentleman, a Happy New Year to you all,” Conor McGregor said in the video posted on social media. “I would like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, the greatest comeback of all time, will take place in Las Vegas, for International Fight Week, on June 29.”

pic.twitter.com/Jje2yYoQoE

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 31, 2023

“Come a little closer, and the opponent; Michael Chandler,” Conor McGregor continued. “And the weight, Mr. Chandler, 185 pounds [laughing].” 

And welcoming the possibility of standing opposite McGregor at the middleweight limit, career-long lightweight, Chandler claimed a 185 pound frame would “look good” on him. 

Michael Chandler provides update on Conor McGregor clash

Without any sort of official confirmation from the UFC nor its current CEO, Dana White, however, the above-mentioned Kill Cliff FC staple, Chandler has confirmed he has now entered camp for a return to the Octagon this year.

“In camp… woke up feeling dangerous,” Michael Chandler posted on his official X account. 

In camp…woke up feeling dangerous.

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 2, 2024

Who wins in a middleweight fight at UFC 302: Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler?