23 October 2023 , 07:55
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Michael Chandler claims Conor McGregor is pushing to find a "lesser opponent" for his comeback fight, despite the pair agreeing to compete.
The former Bellator lightweight champion was announced as McGregor's opponent for his first fight back after an over two-year layoff with a broken leg. But despite the pair completing an entire season of The Ultimate Fighter as coaches, the bout did not materialise this year, and is set to place in 2024.
McGregor only returned to the US Anti-Doping Agency testing pool this month, which requires six months of availability for random testing as well as two negative results in order for a fighter to be eligible. And Chandler feels his rival is keen to face somebody lower ranked, instead of honouring their agreement.
"You ever realisee how [Conor McGregor] stays silent on social about me?" Chandler asked his fans in a tweet over the weekend. "Telltale sign, he’s smart, he’d rather find a lesser opponent. He’s waiting for me to move on. It’s too late to be scared man. Can’t remain afraid kid."
McGregor immediately took issue with the concept, tweeting and deleting a message that read: "Lol what? I'm just waiting on the date you little bum and you are getting electrocuted." The Irishman as recently as last month told Mirror Fighting that Chandler "has to be" his comeback opponent, and told the American to "Sit down and wait and shut your mouth, yeah? The Mac will be here soon.”
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Do you agree with Michael Chandler's take on Conor McGregor? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Last week McGregor was visited for the first time in years by USADA officials. "I was tested two separate times yesterday," McGregor tweeted. "And within an hour of each other. Blood and urine. Three samples of each were requested and given in both instances. They came aboard my yacht. I welcomed them. Gave them a can of Forged Irish Stout and a Proper Whiskey. Life is good."
The UFC will end their deal with USADA at the start of next year, allowing for Drug Free Sport International to take over the collection process under the new program. This could mean that the mandatory six months of testing that fighters need to complete could no longer be in effect, and he may return earlier, although many expect the fight to happen at UFC 300 in April.