UFC lightweight Michael Chandler made some serious waves when he knocked Tony Ferguson out at UFC 274. Chandler not only demanded rematches against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, but specifically called out former UFC lightweight champ Conor McGregor from the Octagon. McGregor, as expected, was quick to respond.
Chandler screamed into the microphone from the Octagon, demanding a shot at the biggest star in the sport of MMA. “Conor McGregor, you’ve got to come back and fight somebody. I am the most entertaining lightweight on the planet.
McGregor “Definitely Game” To Fight Michael Chandler
But I want to up the stakes, Conor. I want you at your biggest, I want you at your baddest and I want you at your best. You and me at 170 this summer, this fall, this winter. Holler at your boy!”
Conor McGregor is still recovering from his latest fight, a brutal loss to Dustin Poirier at 155 pounds that saw McGregor break his leg. That was last July, and the Irish superstar has spent the intervening ten months rehabilitating and recovering in between occasional fights with Machine Gun Kelly and Italian DJs.
“The Notorious” emerged from the gym with a notably pumped-up physique, clearly having spent his time away from the Octagon lifting weights. SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh estimated that McGregor has bulked up to an intimidating 185 pounds, with Conor himself declaring that he wanted to take a run at welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.
Considering Conor McGregor’s abysmal run at lightweight, where he has not won a fight since 2016, the prospect of fighting Michael Chandler at a more comfortable 170 pounds seems far more likely. McGregor took to Twitter to reply to the callout.
“I’d have a nice knock off this guy, no doubt about it. A firework spectacle. I like the 170 shout also. Tipped him over. I’m definitely game to fight this guy at some stage in my career. I see it happening after tonight. Congrats on a solid win Michael and another barnstormer.”
McGregor has no confirmed date set to return to the UFC, although reports indicate that a summer or fall comeback for the former two-division champ is likely. After another year away from the Octagon, it’s arguable that Conor McGregor will be seeking a “tune up fight”, and with Chandler’s front kick knockout win over Tony Ferguson in recent memory, Michael Chandler is anything but.
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