02 January 2024 , 17:06
881
0
Conor McGregor has been told he 'manipulated' Michael Chandler into accepting a UFC fight 30lb above his usual weight class.
McGregor announced his UFC comeback fight against Chandler on New Year's Eve as the pair will fight on June 29th at middleweight. The fight date and weight class haven't been confirmed by the promotion yet, but it would mark both McGregor and Chandler's debuts at the new weight division.
The Irishman teased a bout at middleweight against Chandler during their time on The Ultimate Fighter by telling his rival "he'll do what he's told." UFC legend Daniel Cormier thinks Chandler should have stood his ground and refused to accept a fight with McGregor at middleweight.
Who wins - Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
“It’s like Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers shows. Dr. Evil would make these little jokes and he would laugh and put his finger in his face because he knew he was being bad. That’s what McGregor is doing,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “McGregor is being bad. McGregor is playing the game. McGregor is being the villain right now because the villain manipulates. The villain pulls the strings, the villain is the puppet master. The villain makes you move to his music, the villain makes you move to his rhythm.”
Logan Paul and KSI announce new partnership with UFC president Dana White
“If McGregor is serious and if McGregor insists that this fight takes place at 185lb, it’s going to take place at 185lb because Chandler is not going to tell him no. Chandler is going to go and make more money than he’s ever made on any given night in his entire career but he’s gonna play this guy’s rules. You've got to stand up at times.”
Chandler has been waiting patiently for his shot at McGregor since being tapped out over a year ago by Poirier in a back and forth fight. The fight was originally being targeted for December but was then pushed back to UFC 300 in April, only for Dana White to insist McGregor wouldn't fight until the summer.
"McGregor is being the villain because Michael Chandler is a good guy," Cormier added. "He refuses to play the bad guy. Even if at times playing the bad guy would play to his benefit. He should have played the bad guy a little bit in this situation with McGregor and said ‘F off. I’m done with you. F**k you. You’re taking too long’.