Michael Chandler Voices Frustration Over Conor McGregor’s USADA Situation
Michael Chandler is growing increasingly impatient with Conor McGregor’s ongoing USADA predicament. As the coaches of Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” both fighters are expected to clash in a much-anticipated showdown by the year’s end. However, McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has yet to fulfil the mandatory requirement of re-entering the USADA testing pool for former champions before he can compete.
While UFC president Dana White previously expressed his belief that McGregor would return to the octagon before the year concludes, recent allegations of sexual assault and rape following Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami have cast a shadow of doubt on his anticipated comeback.
For Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC), who is set to share the cage with McGregor, these recent developments have left him feeling uncertain about the situation. In a Twitter video, Chandler voiced his frustration, saying, “Alright guys, you guys have all seen the news: Conor’s not in USADA. One hundred and seventy-nine days left until December 16, which is supposed to be the last pay-per-view of the year. And comically, USADA shows up at my door today to add insult to injury. Where you at, boy?”
Chandler’s peers have taken note of the situation, with Arman Tsarukyan calling him out after his victory at UFC on ESPN 46. During the post-fight news conference, Tsarukyan remarked, “It looks like his fight with McGregor is over.”
The USADA online testing database indicates that McGregor has yet to submit a sample in 2023. Meanwhile, Chandler’s name appears once under the second quarter period, possibly unrelated to the visit he received from USADA today.
As fans eagerly await a resolution to this USADA standoff, Chandler’s frustration with McGregor’s absence from the testing pool only intensifies. Will McGregor step up and face his formidable opponent, or will the anticipated showdown fall through? The clock is ticking, and fight fans are anxiously watching to see what unfolds.
Ben Askren Casts Doubt on Conor McGregor’s Return to Elite Status in Sensational Showdown Against Michael Chandler
Former MMA fighter Ben Askren expresses grave concerns about Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon as the much-anticipated UFC bout between McGregor and Michael Chandler approaches in late 2023. McGregor, who sustained a devastating leg injury in back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, will be out of action for more than two years by the time he returns to the cage.
Askren, known for his forthrightness, questions not only which iteration of the former two-division champion will appear, but also whether the fight will even take place. Askren discussed McGregor’s lack of training videos and his seemingly carefree lifestyle on the Funky & The Champ programme. He stated:
“Every video I see, he’s partying, he’s dancing, he’s drinking. I don’t know. Is this guy taking it seriously anymore? And listen, he’s rich. He can do whatever he wants, apparently. But we also don’t have to consider him a really elite fighter, and he needs to prove that to us again.”
Expressing his skepticism about McGregor’s commitment to fighting regularly, Askren remarked, “I am not under the belief that Conor McGregor is ever going to fight regularly… He’s fought four times in six years. Why would he fight three or four times in one year? That’s crazy talk. And I’m not even convinced he’s [going to actually end up] fighting Michael Chandler.”
McGregor, who gained worldwide fame as the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion in 2016, has been relatively absent from the sport since then. While he has achieved great success in his business ventures, including the sale of his majority stake in Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, his in-cage performances have faltered. Askren questions whether the McGregor who once dominated the sport will ever return.
While Askren acknowledges the possibility of Chandler defeating McGregor, he also notes the unpredictable nature of Chandler’s fights. This opens the door for McGregor to potentially seize a victory. The outcome of this high-stakes clash could have significant implications, including a shot at a title for the victor.
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