Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler (Credits: Michael Chandler Twitter)
Michael Chandler makes a bold business prediction for potential clash against Conor McGregor
Michael Chandler thought the UFC might need a lapse in judgement on their part to book him against Conor McGregor after he knocked out Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May of last year. Instead, the pieces of a megafight later this year were set in motion thanks to a coaching opportunity on “The Ultimate Fighter.”
UFC president Dana White announced on Saturday via social media that Dana White and Michael Chandler will compete against each other as coaches on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which will air on ESPN and ESPN+ from May 30 to August 15. The coaches will likely engage in a welterweight bout at the end of the season, with details on the fight’s date and location to be announced later.
Chandler, much like every other MMA fan, holds the opinion that the fight has the potential to do massive numbers. Speaking on a recent episode of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Michael Chandler claimed:
“If you look at the numbers, I think 2 million [buys], it’s not just a possibility, I think it’s very achievable and very attainable. It’s hard for me to toot my own horn, but I think what I’ve created is a level of intrigue and mystique that when I show up on fight night and that cage door closes, all hell breaks loose and my foot is on the gas. I haven’t seen a brake pedal at all since I signed with the organization. Honestly, since I started fighting. It’s just continued to build and build and build. So you look at why this fight got made, Conor knows it’s going to do big numbers.”
Conor McGregor could fight for another title again, according to Michael Bisping.
When McGregor returns to the cage, Bisping is confident he will win and earn another shot at the title. After their stints as coaches on the new season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the Irish superstar is expected to return later this year for a bout against Michael Chandler. As of mid-August, viewers will have seen the final episode of “TUF” Season 31.
For Bisping, all McGregor has to do to earn a shot at the UFC title is defeat Chandler. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping said:
“If McGregor gets it done, will we see him fight for the title next? That is a given. That is 100 percent. Just prepare yourself mentally for that. Regardless of whatever you think, he’s the biggest star of the sport. He’s a former two-weight division champion, and he’s a person that people want to see fight.”
“So if he goes out there and beats Michael Chandler, who’s one of the top-ranked lightweights on the planet, and he does so in exciting fashion, I’ll be honest: I’ll have no problem with him fighting for the belt. McGregor vs Chandler, I’m excited. Take my money already.”
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