Michael Chandler explains his theory over Conor McGregor's UFC fight demand

09 January 2024 , 15:30

886     0

Michael Chandler explains his theory over Conor McGregor's UFC fight demand

Michael Chandler thinks Conor McGregor is trying to 'establish dominance' over him by demanding they fight at middleweight.

McGregor claims his long-awaited UFC comeback fight will take place at middleweight against Chandler to headline the promotion's International Fight Week on June 29. The weight and date haven't been confirmed by the UFC which has led to some fans claiming the fight won't take place.

Chandler has fought at lightweight for virtually all of his MMA career, whilst McGregor started as a featherweight but has competed as high as 170lb. McGregor has put on a lot of muscle whilst spending over two and a half years on the sidelines due to injury and Chandler insisted he doesn't care what weight their fight takes place at.

Do you think Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler will happen on June 29? Let us know in the comments section below

"I don't care if he wants to fight at middleweight, welterweight or light-heavyweight, whatever it might be. He doesn't want to fight at 155lb because he wants everyone to believe he's bigger than he is. In his mind, he can't fight at 170lb because I called him out at 170lb, therefore I'm not doing as I'm told he is doing what I said so he had to say 185lb," Chandler told ESPN.

Logan Paul and KSI announce new partnership with UFC president Dana White

"I think he always wants to establish dominance to make people think I am less than him. Fighting at 185lb makes him look bigger and sound bigger, he's always tried to pump himself up. The UFC and Conor can figure that out and then let me know, but as of right now I couldn't care less about the weight. The date and the opponent is what matters."

McGregor and Chandler coached against each other on reality show The Ultimate Fighter last year and their fight has since faced significant delays. Chandler hasn't fought in over a year but is confident he will be facing McGregor on June 29 as he added: "With Conor, one thing I will give him credit for is has he ever pulled out a fight?

"People can say what they want to be at Conor I have no problem giving him props, he does what he says he’s going to do when it comes to fighting. Who he’s fighting, where here’s fighting and what weight he’s fighting. That’s one thing I have 100 percent confidence and one thing I will tip my hat to him on."

Harry Davies